May God bless and keep you always
May your wishes all come true
May you always do for others
And let others do for you
May you build a ladder to the stars
And climb on every rung
May you stay forever young.

Last week my oldest son, David, celebrated his 40th birthday.  For me this has become a real admission ticket into the world of being considered a senior citizen.

Up to now getting the senior discounts, collecting social security and even the medicare and AARP newsletters have been easy to brush off.  As long as I don’t look too carefully in the mirror, I don’t feel old.

But for first time that I feel the impact of the passage of time because of David’s birthday.  I think the reason for this feeling is I vividly remember being 40.  I remember my thoughts and dreams.  I remember our family life and what we did and where we traveled.  I think I remember it so vividly because I enjoyed that time of my life so thoroughly.  It was a time of lovely innocence for us all.  So when I reflect back on my 40th birthday, I can’t believe the years have run through my fingers like water when you scoop it for a drink.

I know a lot of you slicers are young and just building your families but has anyone else felt like me as a result of your child’s birthday?

Well as Rod says – may you stay forever young,

Bernadette