#60
"I'm starting on Page One, Chapter One, of Part Three of my life."
Sally Field
March 3, 2018
I’m 60 years old. And, yes, it pains me to write those words. My grandparents were “old” when they were 60. One of my grandfathers only lived two years beyond his 60th birthday, and my father only made it five years past. But this is 2018, and some things have changed since 1966 and 1998. Attitudes have changed. My friends who are 60+ are not old.
I started 2018 with a vow to “search for moments of awe” and spend “down time” with friends. Shortly after making this vow, I committed to two “girlfriend trips.” The first trip in January was to Ashville, North Carolina with three colleagues who have become close, trusted friends. The second trip was to Breckenridge, Colorado for my birthday with another close friend to snow ski. As each trip neared, I fell into old patterns of doubting whether I could afford the time away from work. I started to “dread” each trip, and in each case, doubting my decision to spend time away from my job. But, in both cases I went on the trip.
The first trip, while only 48 hours, allowed me to reconnect with friends that I care about deeply. We spent time talking, enjoying good wine and cocktails, and seeing sights in Ashville. Instead of feeling tired after the quick trip, I felt emotionally refreshed. Thank you Amber, Linda and Susan.
As the second trip approached, I felt the same impending dread and fear about missing work. In fact, I considered cancelling the trip as late as one week prior to departure. I think the only thing that kept me from cancelling was a more overriding fear of disappointing the friend I would be traveling with to Breckenridge. She had been persistent in planning the trip around the 60th birthdays of another friend and me.
To say that I love Breckenridge would be an understatement. I first visited the community in 1987 (with the same friend and two others). We were four young women driving to Colorado for a ski trip (the second in my life) during the Martin Luther King holiday weekend. We drove through the night from Oklahoma City to Silverthorne, Colorado (you can do that when you are young!), and I remember the awe and majesty of the mountains as we began our ascent on I-70 to Summit County. I remember the smell of the pinion wood. I remember how it felt to be at the top of the mountain and look down to the community of Breckenridge. While I’ve had the opportunity to travel to many countries and exotic locales and snow ski at many Colorado, New Mexico and Utah resorts, nothing conjures as much happiness as returning to Breckenridge.
In spite of my dread and apprehension about missing work, this trip was magical! Sure, it takes a lot more effort and energy to put on ski boots and carry skis than it did 31 years ago, but the beauty of the surroundings, fun and accomplishment of finishing a ski run, sitting in the hot tub with a view of the mountains and trees, and stimulating and spirited conversations with my two intelligent, savvy and fun friends while enjoying good wine and food was exactly what I needed! Thank you Sue and Phyllis.
On my birthday, I received many text messages from friends and family, and I’m grateful for their love and support. Two of those messages are particularly meaningful to me. The first was from my friend, Leslea with the Robert Frost quote. “The afternoon knows what the morning never suspected.” The second message was from my mom. “This time 60 years ago, I was in labor. I was an immature mother that had to mature fast with this little, but mighty bundle in my arms. When I looked at your little hands that were miniatures of mine, it really made me realize what responsibility I had in my life! You have been a blessing to me, and others in your life. I hope you can relax and renew on this trip. I know there are mountains in your life. I pray that you will be given courage to climb them with love and grace. You are still my little rock star. I love you.” Thank you Leslea and Mom.
I am so grateful that I can still see and experience awe-inspiring beauty and love.
