My Milestone Birthday

Every year for the past 39 years of my life, I’ve celebrated my November 25 birthday on Thanksgiving. Some years I’ve been lucky enough to have the holiday and my day coincide.
But this year, I’m not so excited about being a turkey baby. I’m turning the “big 4-0".
I can honestly say, I’ve noticed my appearance change this past year. My skin is thinner and if I sleep a certain way, I could have a crease across my cheek for several hours of the day before it finally disappears.
The dark bags under my eyes, which I thought were from lack of sleep, are actually a permanent new facial feature which I must cover up with the best make-up invention ever, concealer.
On the positive side, I got my first mammogram over and done with. I decided to do it just before I officially turned 40. I have to admit, the worst part was waiting for the results; then having to go back another day for further testing because they saw something suspicious. I hugged the radiologist when she told me I was all set and come back next year.
My sister started planning the party I didn’t want for my 40th from around a year ago. I was told to show up at her house on Saturday wearing something purple or pink and looking fabulous. I have to admit, it was nice to feel like Queen for a day which was the theme for the party. I even got to wear a rhinestone tiara with “40” on it and my royal followers wore pink feather boas and purple and silver bead necklaces. A luxurious coach shuttle bus transported us all to a glamorous, sheik restaurant called Cuchi Cuchi. Upon our return, we enjoyed a 3-tier regal cake topped with a crown and I was showered with generous gifts. I felt like such a celebrity.
I just wish I could be a real superstar for one day, though, or a supermodel like Gisele Bundchen, not because she’s married to the GQ man of the year, Tom Brady, but because she most likely will never have to wear Spanx. Perhaps pregnancy will introduce her to fat cells.
I e-mailed a bunch of my relatives and friends who are 40 or older to get some advice to help prepare myself for this major milestone and here’s a little glimpse of what they told me:
From cousin Effie in New York:
“Enjoy your neck.”
“Foods that you once loved, no longer love you.”
“Fuggetaboutit!”
“It becomes impossible to lose weight – those fat and forty t-shirts have truth to them.”
“Hang around with fifty plus women and you will see how lovely you still look.”
“Compared to your 50’s, 40 is fabulous!”
“Use eye cream.”
“Laugh a lot and live life and don’t worry about your age. It’s a waste of precious energy.”
From cousin Christine in Florida:
“Worry about 60 when the kids are out of the house and you will wonder what to do with your free time.”
“Pick and choose your arguments well for there is really very little worth fighting over.”
“You are only as happy as your least happiest child.”
From my friend, Tricia in Dedham:
“Be afraid, be very afraid.”
From my friend, Mary in Burlington:
“40 means nothing. Our culture has this youth obsession, especially regarding women and I think that drives a lot of our angst about aging.”
From cousin Helene in New York:
“You somehow realize not to stress over the little things because you now know that they are really not important. You become more relaxed as a person within your own skin, more relaxed as a parent and as a spouse.”
From my sister, Lisa:
“Turning 40 was the best birthday I ever had! I loved turning 40! I love that I felt 20 at 40 and felt I looked better at 40 than at 20!
“I don' t care for pettiness at 40, I say like it is and do what I want to do and don't have to apologize.”
“40 is not an age it’s a state of mind.... fabulous at 40, foxy at 40, 40 years young, kiss me I’m 40.”
“Enjoy it! Celebrate it! You’ve lived 1/2 your life and anything you didn' t like or want to do, now’s the time to change and don't be afraid to do whatever you want to do.”
“It’s a new chapter in your life and its up to you to make it a good one.”
These are great words from very special women in my life and I will heed to every one of them.
My husband, who turned 40 three years ago, thankfully is not making a big deal about this. I threw him a surprise Elvis-themed party for his milestone birthday which he later revealed he knew about because he saw the invitation on our computer.
When I asked him why he didn’t tell me he knew about it, he replied, “because then I would have had to help you.”
Good answer, don’t you think?
I am very thankful for what I have and will try not sweat the small stuff in my 40’s. After all, stress makes us age even more!
Thank you to everyone who helped make my 40th birthday unforgettable and truly fabulous, especially my mother and my sister, the party planners.