Turning Age 50

You never know where life will lead you - Thursday was my 50th birthday and I spent it at the Holy Land Franciscan Monastery in Washington DC. If you had told me 5 years ago, I'd be in Baltimore, I would have said you were crazy; if you had told me 10 years ago, I'd join the Catholic Church and it would be the very best thing in my life, I would have laughed and laughed. I went back again today to cover a talk by Father Romano, and took these photos.

I don't have a lot of wisdom to impart - except I have no idea how this happened. How did I end up being 50? How is it that I have a 30-year-old daughter and three grandchildren? Is being 50 supposed to mean something - wisdom, the dawning of old age, physical disability? I don't have the stamina I had when I was younger, but I don't necessarily feel "old" either. I certainly don't feel fragile. If you speak with someone who is in their 70s, they recall being 50 as still being young, so I guess it is a matter of perspective.

I do feel "seasoned." That is, I've been through so much, that I have a perspective of "this, too, shall pass." It's not necessarily being jaded - like "is that all there is?" but more of knowing you can survive. I mean, I left one husband with nothing but a car full of clothes and books. I've rebuilt my life over and over; I don't want to do it again, but I know I can.

More reflections to come.

Right now, I'm waiting for Ellen and Seth and Hannah to arrive (Simon stayed home with his dad.) Tonight, we're going out to dinner at a nice restaurant on the Inner Harbor. Frank got me new orthopedic pillows (I AM 50, after all) and a nice cake. People have been extremely kind and funny.

Turning 50 isn't so bad.