Reflections

Recently I passed a milestone mark in my life. I turned 40. On Wednesday, the 19th of October, I turned 40. The number doesn't bother me, the actual number never mattered to me, but to think that I am 40, now, that is a whopper! I don't feel 40, but I am!
Anyway, this past Friday, my inlaws threw me a suprise party. Scott and my sister were in cahoots with them and they all devised the guest list and the plan to get me there. I was suprised and didn't realize that it ws happening, right under my nose, literally, becasue with Scott not working, I have him here all of the time. Somehow they pulled it off. AMAZING!
It was really nice to be so very special for one evening. I had family, my uncle and aunt cousins and my two sisters, my God children there, my friends from work, my oldest and dearest friends from my formative years were there too! Here is some advice, don't hang out with people who have known you for so long, in a shocked state, you begin drinking and don't stop. I paid for it yesterday, it was a lost kind of day. When I sit and talk to my friends, I am 15, 16, or 17 again, like there were no years in between, it is just us being us, no real catch ups just continuations. My mother was there too, and my friends got a chance to see her too. She was most impressed with them, remembering them as youngsters and now knowing them as adults. Even though she can't see, she was very impressed by the people that they have grown into, and that we still love one another as we always have. There were a few of us missing, but the essential core was there, and the love was there.
My sister Margaret came from upstate. Interestingly, I walked in to the party and saw her, was in shock for a second, and then realized it was her, and didn't see anyone or anything else. Than lasted about 30 seconds. But that was my first impression when I walked into the room.
My in laws are special people, no doubt about it, they always go out of their way to make me feel that I am special and loved by them. I have felt that way from the first time that I went over for dinner, to this very day. I became a part of their family the day that I was invited over for dinner. That amazes me, and astounds me, but it is the truth.
As I have said before, I don't feel different being 40, just that I have grown up. Now I have reached the age of wisdom in some tribes of people, but I feel that I have a lot of learning and wizening to do yet on this highway that we call life. I learn a little every day, and that is enough to go through the day.