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Thursday, September 25, 2008

Four Boyfriends

This short story was sent to me by a friend, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Four Boyfriends
Once upon a time there was a girl who had four boyfriends. She loved the fourth boyfriend the most and adorned him with rich robes and treated him to the finest of delicacies. She gave him nothing but the best.

She also loved the third boyfriend very much and was always showing him off to neighboring kingdoms. However, she feared that one day he would leave her for another.

She also loved her second boyfriend. He was her confidant and was always kind, considerate and patient with her. Whenever this girl faced a problem, she could confide in him, and he would help her get through the difficult times.

The girl's first boyfriend was a very loyal partner and had made great contributions in maintaining her wealth and kingdom. However, she did not love the first boyfriend Although he loved her deeply, she hardly took notice of him!

One day, the girl fell ill and she knew her time was short. She thought of her luxurious life and wondered, 'I now have four boyfriends with me, but when I die, will I be a alone.'

Thus, she asked the fourth boyfriend, 'I loved you the most, endowed you with the finest clothing and showered great care over you. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?

'No way!', replied the fourth boyfriend, and he walked away without another word. His answer cut like a sharp knife right into her heart. The sad girl then asked the third boyfriend, 'I loved you all my life. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?'

'No!', replied the third boyfriend. 'Life is too good! When you die, I'm going to marry someone else!'

Her heart sank and turned cold. She then asked the second boyfriend, 'I have always turned to you. For help and you've always been there for me. When I die, will you follow me and keep me company?'

'I'm sorry, I can't help you out this time!', replied the second boyfriend. 'At the very most, I can only walk with you to your grave.' His answer struck her like a bolt of lightning,and the girl was devastated.

Then a voice called out: 'I'll go with you. I'll follow you no matter where you go.' The girl looked up, and there was her first boyfriend. He was very skinny as he suffered from malnutrition and neglect. Greatly grieved, the girl said, 'I should have taken much better care of you when I had the chance!'

In truth, you have four boyfriends in your lives: Your fourth boyfriend is your body. No matter how much time and effort you lavish in making it look good, it will leave you when you die.

Your third boyfriend is your possessions, status and wealth.When you die, it will all go to others.

Your second boyfriend is your family and friends. No matter how much they have been there for you, the furthest they can stay by you is up to the grave.

And your first boyfriend is your spirit. Often neglected in pursuit of wealth, power and pleasures of the world. However, your spirit is the only thing that will follow you where ever You go.

Cultivate, strengthen and cherish it now, for it is the only part of you that will follow you to the throne of God and continue with you throughout Eternity.

Friday, September 19, 2008

Officer Down, Call For Back Up!

The day began just like any other day. We had gathered at a nearby park to celebrate the leaving of the nest – of sorts – for my nephew. He had opted to go to college out of state, which of course required a huge family farewell to send one of our own fledglings out into the big world of “grown-ups”.
 
The weather was perfect. There was a cooling breeze blowing in off the lake. Children ran and played nearby in the lush grass. Jet skiers flitted around on the water’s glassy surface. The Teenage Wonder also known as Son was in a not-as-grumpy-as-usual mood and actually managed a smile from behind the dark sunglasses he always wore.

Perfect. Then the shots rang out.

I had been sitting among “the young ones”, enjoying some bonding time with my nieces and nephews. I gazed around in wonder at this group of newly minted teenagers, wondering where the time had gone. Where had these wonders come from, when had this happened, this transformation from child to teenager?

My glance fell on my niece as she spoke to me, her arm tucked under mine. Gone was the sweet little girl that I carried around on my hip who pulled my hair and in her place was a tall, svelte teenager with long dark hair and big brown eyes. Gone were the braces, away with the chubby preteen, here stood a lithesome swan, sure to cause my brother-in-law a lot of sleepless nights in the days to come.

I cannot remember exactly what we were talking about, how the conversation had evolved; I remember standing, talking, teasing, and laughing.

That was when I heard the first shot.

“Oh, Aunt T,” my niece, just barely sixteen years old soothed, her tone placating, her smooth pretty face crinkling as she smiled at me, her look almost sympathetic.

“I still have plenty of time…” she began. 

Zip! The shot whizzed past my ear. I looked around vaguely. What was going on?

“I’m not worried about that, I will think about all of those kinds of things…” 

Zoom! The missile grazed my temple, stinging me. I felt as if I should have ducked. Did anyone else see what was happening? Anybody?

“When I get to be your age.” 

Bang! That shot hit me squarely in the chest, slamming into my heart. I whizzed around, the statement snapping me to attention. Shots fired! Officer down, requesting back up! I am under attack!

Hold up! Wait a minute! When did I become the “old lady” of the bunch? When did I become “that age”? Now, it is one thing for me to say that I feel old, but totally another thing to hear the words coming from the mouths of babes.

Who was she calling old? I don’t look old. I don’t feel old – most days. I still got “it”. I am still reasonably fit, definitely a lot smarter, and wiser than I used to be – at her age. I realize that at sixteen, you have a whole big world ahead of you. However, my dear niece, youth – highly overrated youth – is just too much work! As I watch this group of kids, jostling each other for position and attention, I am reminded why I am so very glad to have become “my age”.

I am so glad that I do not have to worry about what everybody else is wearing. Unless they are paying for my clothes, I really could care less. Who in the heck is “everybody else” anyway?

I am so very glad to not have to go through the whole high-school experience again, once on that ride is more than enough for anyone.

I am glad that things that once seemed so important to me then are just not that important anymore. A thing like some girl in fifth period was wearing the same shoes as mine. These things no longer rate a blip on my radar. The Teenage Wonder says that I am oblivious to what is going on around me. The truth is that frankly, my dear, I just do not care.

I am glad that I do not have the overwhelming need to go out and pierce or tattoo something.

I am glad that I can be sassy and outspoken and know that there is not a darn thing anybody can do about it. I am certainly past the age where I could be grounded for not watching my mouth, though I am sure some would like to try!

I am glad that I am no longer inflicted with the “I’m bored-itus” of youth. I am living a life blessed with rich friendships, family and the history thereof and an abundance of things to do and see that keep me stimulated. Each year gets better as will each decade. What I lack in muscle tone I more than make up for in mental aptitude.

I’m glad that I can say no and not have to feel guilty about it nor do I have to explain why I do not have to or want to. If I do not want to go, eat, do or be anything that I do not want to, it is perfectly all right. No is no.

I’m glad that I do not have to obsess anymore – you pick a topic, a teenager can obsess about it. Nope, all done with that.

I’m glad that not all of my childhood dreams came true. What in the world would I have done with a pony if I had become a racecar driving female astronaut pediatrician anyway?

I’m glad that I no longer suffer with the young person’s disease of “Need to Please”. Aging with less anxiety. Letting go of what didn’t happen. Grateful for having lived another year. No longer hiding the things that make me unique.

And I am so very glad to be living a happier and richer life precisely because I am no longer in my youth, knowing that these days are the good old days as I get my life’s satisfaction from focusing on the “real” important things - being a good friend, mother, sister, daughter and companion. Living fully engaged in my own life, having let go of what could have been in order to anticipate with joy and wonder what is to come.

I pulled myself together, dusting off my ego and stood as tall as my five foot four frame would allow. I smile at my niece.

Oh, you, young one. You have so much to learn; you of the bright eyes and dreams, you of the line free face and worry free days. I hugged my niece, patting her blissfully smooth young cheek. I am not saying that it has been easy and that there will not be some sticky passages that come up along the way as I continue my trek through Midlife Divadom.

I would not trade anything for my journey. I would not give all of the money in the world to go back to where she is headed. Old is still out there somewhere and I will get there when I get there, but not yet.

Not yet.

Got a comment about the column or just want to share some words wisdom with other Mid Life Divas? Share it with us! Visit our blog http://musingsofamidlifediva.blogspot.com.
Join the fray. Tell us what gives your life flavor. What makes you feel alive, want to stand up and dance. We want to hear it, your stories, and your ideas. Stop by to visit, stay awhile and dish!

Saturday, September 6, 2008

Does Age Have A Sound?

Recently I was reading an emailed interview with a Mid Life Diva for an upcoming issue of the Musings Ezine when I found myself confounded by a question that I’d never considered before.

Kim, Owner of Overall Beauty (http://overallbeauty.com) during what she called her “Gripe of the Month” posed the question and I have to admit, I had to stop and think about it.

During her “gripe”, Miss Kim, a thriving Mid Life Diva with two “nearly grown” sons in their twenties, states that when she is communicating with others via telephone, she is often asked her age and is met with expressions of disbelief when she answers the question truthfully.

Kim is a proud-to-be Mid Life Diva. She is often told that she “doesn’t sound old enough to ...”, or “you don’t sound old enough to have grown children...” Or this one is my favorite “are you sure?” What?

Miss Kim asked the question that really made me pause to think and is the question that I would like to pose to all of you, my Counsel of Mid Life Divas: as worded so eloquently by Miss Kim, does age have a sound?

Having reached Mid Life, still alive and kicking, Kim further inquired if mid life should sound as if your life has been “super hard” and if we, as Mid Life Divas should sound as if we’re “worn out, beaten down or something”? She further inquired if being proud of who we are at this time in our lives has a sound?

Having reached Mid Life, how are we expected to sound? As if we just can’t go on? As if we just can’t face another day, another task, another mountain?

That’s not us. At this stage in our journey, our voices should be the loudest and the most influential voice in our ears. The voice that tells us that we are great - as is. We are loved, as we are. We are strong and will make it, come what may.

So I guess my answer would be yes, Miss Kim, age does have a sound.
Age sounds like music, the song in our hearts and minds that makes us want to rejoice and say “Go Girl!”, or get up and boogie. And yes, it is acceptable to shake your tail feathers!
She sounds like the wind, soothing, quieting and calming. Free from fear and anxiety. That sounds like peace.

She sounds like wisdom, knowing what to do and when to do it, applying knowledge with common sense and insight. That sounds like experience.

She sounds like confidence, being sure that you know what you know. Not feeling it necessary to brag that you know. That sounds like security.

She sounds like patience, when the young divas are flitting about to and fro, in such a hurry to get where you are, you understand that she has much work to do. Although she is patient, she will not suffer fools lightly, nor will she suffer those who may want to mistreat her for their own gain. That sounds like power.

 She sounds like love, for others and for yourself. You realize that family is who you choose to accompany you on this journey through life, not who you happen to share a gene pool with. It’s who you love and who loves you - for you, a gift given without compensation. That sounds like trust.

She sounds like strength, knowing that come what may, you can and you will make it. You will stand and you will conquer, as you have done countless times before and will do countless times again. You, Mid Life Diva, are more than a conqueror, you are a survivor, that sounds like victory.

She sounds like assurance, the quiet steel in your spine that holds you upright and true when everything around you seems to be crashing to the ground. That sounds like perseverance. And you will persevere.

She sounds like friendship, the ties that bind us as Mid Life Divas, partners during this journey. That sounds like a community in numbers that cannot be imagined. And together, our voices will reverberate like thunder.

And she sounds like life, accepting what you can’t change and changing what you can. And rejoicing and thriving in spite of it all. That sounds like a Mid Life Diva.

Kim also made a statement that will stick with me, and I hope that you will remember it too: when you have lots of joy in your life, you just sound younger. And I have to give it to Kim, you just sound wiser too.

Thanks, Kim for giving us all something to think about.

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

The Countdown to Robin's Big Day Is On!

A very new associate of mine has a fun blogsite up and running called "Fiftydaystofifty", with the big day being September 30. Visit her blog, it's a lot of fun and prepare to help Robin celebrate the Big Day!

Go visit http://fiftydaystofifty.wordpress.com/. Tell her The Mid Life Diva sent you!

Musings Specs are available!


Finally! A forum in which women can connect. Every woman has a story and now is your time to share it with other like you! The specs for the Musings Ezine are available, there is plenty of room for you! Email me at tlunnethomas@kc.rr.com if you would like to contribute. I will rush a Spec Sheet to you! Talk to you soon!