Tuesday, October 21, 2008

It's the Only Aging Part of Me

I am admittedly older than many of the neighborhood moms.  It's simply a matter of basic math.  I earned an undergrad degree, two masters, and a doctorate all before Checkered and I found each other.  By the time we said, "I do," I had crossed the 30 year old  threshold.  Then factor in a baby or two or three or four, and the sum is a slightly older mom.

I wasn't too worried about the age thing early-on.  As a matter of fact, when my first-born was in kindergarten, I was on a schoolbus with her class for a fieldtrip.  One little boy yelled over to his mom, "Hey!  How old are you again, Mom?"  She grimaced, and then she answered, "Forty-five."  I turned my head away from her slight discomfort and comforted myself on the fact that I would never be 45 and have a child in kindergarten.

Imagine my shock a few years later to find myself recovering from the birth of my youngest child only to have my nurse and friend lean down and whisper in my ear, "At least you beat 40 by a few weeks."  I did not do the math.  Call it ignorance. Call it bliss.  But then one day five years later, my baby was in kindergarten and he asked,
"Mommy, how old are you?" 

 I answered, "How old do you think I am?"

"I can't remember.  You're either 12 or 21.  Which one is it?"

"Oh! You're such a smart boy!!!  Surprise! Let's go to McDonalds for lunch," and he was my forever friend.
So, you see, while many of our counterparts are wiping tears away as they take their children to college or walking them down the wedding aisle, we are happily awaiting another visit from the Tooth Fairy, Santa, and the Easter Bunny. 

All this works for me pretty well, but it's hard work.   I never want my kids to feel embarrassed because of my age, so I am trying to regain my body with Pepper the Puppy's help.  I am regaining my skin with my mom's magic potions which work beautifully for her, and I have reclaimed gray-free hair with the help of an interesting stylist named Jamie.

What is the saying?  "You can run, but you can't hide."   So here I smugly sit thinking of my youthful appearance and nature.  And here is my youngest boy playing with my droopy, poultry-like, elbow skin.  And he is not smiling.

Anybody got an elbow anti-aging formula?

 

13 comments:

Laura ~Peach~ said...

I was doing math last night... At 41 I will be grandma... and could concieveably be great grand ma by 61... oh dear why do I play numbers...LOL. my lovely shade of gray just can not be bothered with coloring it right now... and when I lost 100 pounds my lovely teen daughter brat person sat on me tried to snuggle and then announced to the entire resturant ... mom I hate that you lost weight you are not soft and snuggly any more... HARUMP you cant win for loosing! too bad the darn weight refound me...hugs my friend If I had it to do over (which of course I dont) i do believe I would have WAITED at least 10 years...

Unknown said...

As the mother of a 21 year old (I am happily greeting 45 this year) and also the mother of a 6 year old with 5 kids in between, I definitely feel ya on the numbers game. I am okay with it all and gave up trying to fight it. It is what it is and I have accepted me for who I am.

I think older Moms are better...we have more patience, we know what we want, and we value every second by taking nothing for granted.

My oldest often tells me she was robbed by being the first. She said I used her to make all the mistakes on...well, I guess we have to give our kids some excuse to seek therapy.

You are perfect just the way you are!!! I said so. Celebrate yourself.

When you find the elbow skin potion, let me know...I sorta kinda really need it!

Marlene

Mental P Mama said...

I know someone who just had her first baby at 45. Can you imagine sitting at the kindergarten desk for back-to-school night when you are 50? No thanks.

I will get to work on the elbow thing. It probably involves diet and exercise, though. I'm just warning you.

Pancake said...

I LOVE IT!!! Anti aging elbow lotion, if you find PLEASE DO SHARE!!!!!

There is a part of me that is jealous... same age, but different places. My youngest is 16, not 6....

~Trish~ said...

Age is only a number, it's how you act and feel is what matters right? Oh who knows but it sounded good :) I'm kinda in the norm I guess...I am 38 with a 12 and 9 yr old. Hey thanks for stopping by my Kansas blog today :)

Julie said...

You are one smart mommy, especially getting all that higher education and still only being 12 or 21... ;)

Lisa said...

I thought age was just a number also. But I have found while trying to take care of two grand kids at the age of 48...age is more than all that. I am worn out, dog tired , exhausted and I need to take my puppies for a walk to look for my youth too. Good grief!

Ashley said...

I think you've got it figured out though. You can live life and accomplish all the things you want to do before adding kids to the mix. Plus - you're a great example to your kids - elbow skin or not. :)

Big Hair Envy said...

I'm right there fighting along with you girlfriend! Eye cream, day AND night face creams, eyelash moisturizer, body lotion, moisturizing body wash....a good elbow cream would make my list complete!!! hahahaha!

I'm 42, my daughter is 16. It works for us:)

Anonymous said...

Ok, now, take this with a huge grain of salt. I knew how old you were. You told me and I probably was well aware from talking etc., but I often forget when we write etc. I don't think of you as older. I mean, granted you aren't THAT much older than me I suppose, but I think age is simply a number anyhow. It's all in our head. To look at you, in family photos and such with your kids, you look like a mom who has kids THAT age. You don't look too old for them, they don't look too old for you. It's perfect match. Am I making sense? And no, I have no anti aging secrets. Well, my only secret was that fat chicks didn't get wrinkles, but I am actually striving of late to work against that one myself. You don't LOOK old. Do you FEEL old?! That's all that matters.

Dr.John said...

It sounds like whatever your age you have everything under control. Your kids are happy. What more can you ask?

Jeannelle said...

I think you have it all, caution! An advanced education, career, marriage and children! Your life is inspiring! Your days are surely very full.....enjoy it all! As for the elbows.....my remedy is to wear three-quarter length sleeves or longer!

Anonymous said...

I honesty wish I had been an older mom. I was a very immature 21 and 23 when my children were born, and I think I would have been much more patient and wise with them if I had been older.