For years, I believed my mom was thirty-nine years old. Even after we celebrated another birthday mom always declared she was thirty-nine and in her defense, she looked great. When my brothers and I were young, we took mom’s age at face value and didn’t question the similarity year after year. Over the years, each of my siblings, including myself, snuck into mom and dad’s bedroom, found her wallet and pulled out her driver’s license to find out the truth. We each held this secret close until more recently when we began to share memories and the question of mom’s age was the topic.
Celebrating who you are as well as the gift of experience and wisdom comes with the blessing of each birthday. My mom didn’t mind celebrating as long as her real age was not divulged. I want to change that today. This past Sunday I celebrated the gift of sixty years on this earth. I want you to leave here today with a new perspective on aging because “who says getting older isn’t fun”?
1960 was a very good year
The year was 1960. The age of the Baby Boomers was on the downhill slide. The era of peace, love, and joy was diminishing. I was born at the dawn of a new decade with so much hope and promise. My parents were certainly thrilled because, after the birth of my two older brothers, they now had their baby girl. Two younger brothers followed but I’m the “rose among thorns.” (Just kidding)
One of the most popular names at the time was “Mary.” How fitting. I knew a lot of Marys and had an experience while teaching where every teacher in my hallway was named “Mary” or some form of it. Growing up in the ’60s was simple, fun, and easy. Playing involved anything you could find to do outside on the days it wasn’t raining or coming up with new ways to occupy your time inside when the weather was not cooperating. Think of roller skating in the basement, playing school, board games, and more. Outside fun looked like riding bikes, baseball or football in the backyard, Kick the Can and Ghost in the Graveyard. Growing up with four brothers gave me access to “friends” on the days the neighborhood kids weren’t free to play. If you knew me when I was young, life was what I made it–no more, no less.
Life Lessons
As I grew from childhood into adulthood, I relied on the foundation my parents provided for me to lean on when life became bigger and more difficult. I have loved every age, some more than others. Now that I reached the magic age of sixty, I love the relationship I have with my sons, DILs, and grandson. My life experience paves the way for me to share the ups and downs with friends and family. I love the person I am most days and believe God still has so much more for me. And, I am trying to live out the question, “who says getting older isn’t fun”?
Here are some life lessons I am working on but also believe in:
You WILL talk like your parents. It’s inevitable. The first time I said “Because I said so” when my sons asked “why” I literally looked around to see if my mom had transported herself into the room.
Embrace your age in every stage of life. God loves you no matter your age. Love yourself as well.
Share your gifts, talents, and resources. God has grown an abundance of everything in my heart, mind, and soul. It is my job and honor to share this fruitfulness with others.
Move every day. Hopefully not just from the couch to the kitchen and back. This is one I am working on but the days I am more active are the days I am more productive.
Love the ones you’re with. Love well and often because life is short and uncertain. God first loved us so we could pass on His love to all those we encounter.
And begin each day thanking God for the gift of a new day. It is such a perspective-changer and immediately allows you to focus on the One who created you as His son/daughter.
Come celebrate my birthday with me over on the blog. Hop on over for some reflections and a giveaway. #celebrate #itsmybirthday #giveaway #TellHisStory #linkup Share on XAs I celebrate another year of living, I need to remind myself that God blesses me on the good and the bad days. He loves me more than I love myself and always will. I am nothing without God and my best self with Him. Just think, God created the sun and moon and you and me and called it good. Very good.
Let’s believe there is always more to come as a child of God. And when we know this we can say, “who says getting older isn’t fun”?
Blessings,
And now it’s time for you to join me in the celebration. Leave a comment below for a chance to win one of three gifts:
A mug and $15 Starbucks gift card
Beth Moore’s new book releasing today- Chasing Vines: Finding Your Way to an Immensely Fruitful Life
A set of three of my favorite journals
Leave a comment and if you really love what you read, subscribe below for a weekly email from me to you. This will count as an extra entry. Giveaway ends Sunday, February 9 at midnight EST. Winners will be announced on Monday.
**We will return to the Enneagram series next week with Michele Morin. You do not want to miss this Enneagram 3 describe the ins and outs of her personality type.
Hi Mary and happy birthday! Welcome to the “over 60 club”! So nice to have you as a member! LOL Ok… here’s my tid-bit on aging: “Age is a matter of mind. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.” (I read than on a sugar packet years ago.) <3 Joan
LOL I just saw that this was an old post! It just came through my Facebook stream today… Ah well! Happy birthday a few months/years late! LOL
Happy Birthday! I loved your wisdom on aging.
You are getting wiser and better! Happy Birthday.
Not only do you say what your parents said (and that you hated when young), but I find myself having some of their facial looks that I said I would never do.
Well, thank you! I channeled my parents especially when my sons were young. Thanks for the birthday wishes.
You are 60 years young, Mary! I love your enthusiastic spirit and how you inspire us in every season of life–modeling how to celebrate the blessings of God and how to persevere with faith in the difficulties. Happy Birthday, my friend! Here’s to 60 more!
I am and I love that God has brought me this far. I am enthusiastic because God continues to bless me and that is the best birthday gift of all. Thank you for being here and wishing me such sweet birthday blessings.
Happy Birthday, Mary! Sending hugs! Thank you for reminding us that God has a purpose for us at any age. It reminds me of when an old woman in a nursing home was asked something that implied she must feel she has no purpose anymore. She replied that God still uses her, because even though she can no longer do other things, she can still pray. That stuck with me. Thank you for this encouragement that there is always more to come as a child of God! Love and blessings!
Thank you for sharing the story about the woman in the nursing home. I want to be able to say that too. I love celebrating my birthday with you here in my online space. Thanks for the birthday wishes.
I am glad you had a great birthday. I’m not particularly fond of getting older. xo
Thank you. My mom didn’t really enjoy getting older either. One of the reasons she was 39 year after year.
Happy birthday! Enjoy your celebrating!
I will. Thank you for the birthday wishes.
Happy Birthday! I love all your tips…especially simply being thankful for each day.
Blessings to you in this next year of life!
Thank you for stopping by, Amy. I pray I always remember to thank God at the beginning of each day.
Wow, Mary, we were born in the same year! I turn 60 on February 16th. Great post!
Your birthday is right around the corner. Here’s to a joyous celebration for you.
Celebrating your birthday with you, Mary! Thanks for pouring out your wisdom for us all to glean from your knowledge! You are a blessing!
Thank you for celebrating with me. I am glad for the wisdom God has given me over the years. It’s based on lots of life experience.
Happy birthday, Mary!! Loved walking down memory lane with you. I remember when I turned 39, because my dad, like your mom, always answered 39 when asked how old he was. I guess 40 was considered old to them!
It is fun to take a look back, isn’t it? I have not known any men that were not willing to share their age. It’s interesting that your dad was like that.
Happy Birthday, Mary! The years seem to roll around faster every decade. I still remember 60 and what an adventure it has been since then as I have passed 70. Hope you have been blessed greatly and that each new year will allow you to discover new things and glimpses of God at work in new and different ways.
You can’t possibly be 70!!! I have been greatly blessed and God continues to bring me closer to Him daily.
Mary, My Sweet Friend. I love all of your posts. This one hits home since we share our 60th birthdays this year. I loved hearing about the things you did as a young girl inside (roller skating in the basement-Did your skates have a key?) and outside (Did you play Red Rover, too?). Life was much simpler then. I’m very thankful to have met you at age 50 and all the great times we’ve had. I know this next decade will be amazing! Happy Belated Birthday. Should we zip line for this big birthday year??
Hi Terri – my skates had a key and I still have the skates! Don’t know how my skinny (at that time) little feet held those heavy skates! Red Rover and Freeze tag were fun too! Oh those were the days.
Love you and Mary!
Oh, freeze tag was another good game. I played that on the playground at school. Those were the days. Thank you for the birthday wishes.
We do share a new decade and a big birthday. I am blessed that we can celebrate another year together. My skates did not have a key but I did play Red Rover. I’m not sure about ziplining but there is a bridge in Gatlinburg that I think I need to try to walk across. Love you, sweet friend!
My older sister Sandy was born in 1960, so she will turn 60 this year as well. I have 2 more years to go. I love your attitude, Mary. 60 was indeed a very good year. And 60 looks great on you! 🙂
We grew up in the same decade and I hope your memories are as fun as mine. Thanks for being here.
Happy birthday, Mary! I love your list of life lessons. That one about moving every day seems to get more and more important the older someone gets. And the encouragement to embrace your age in every stage of life is so good! I hope this year is full of wonderful blessings for you. 🙂
My dad used to talk to me about the importance of moving every day and he lived to ninty-five years old. He modeled what he preached daily. I am thankful for you and for your presence in this community.
Happy birthday, Mary! I spent most of my childhood years in the sixties as well and feel we grew up in a wonderful era. I sometimes wish we could go back but these are exciting times as well.
Life was easier in the ’60s and that to me was the best way to grow up. The memories are nice but living in the present is wonderful too.
That is so fun! I️ didn’t know you had a hall full of Mary’s one year. We celebrate you, Mom! We love you!
See you learned something new today. I love that you are part of my family and all the birthday celebrations.
Mary,
LOVE this post and LOVE you! You truly look 39!! Age is just a number (except when your knees creak and crack coming down the stairs lol). Your memories took me down memory lane. We so enjoyed roller skating in the basement and in the summer you never wanted to be called to come inside to get ready for bed. Good times…great decade to be born!! Sharing in celebrating the gift that is YOU!!
Blessings,
Bev xx
You are my friend forever especially now that you said I look thirty-nine. My knees and other parts of my body creak in the morning but that is part of aging. I love that we share some of the same memories. You are such a dear friend.
Happy Birthday, Mary! May your day and year be abundantly blessed. I appreciate the reminder that God loves us no matter our age. We focus so much on the number that we lose sight of that truth. Thanks for hosting the linkup.
Peace and grace,
Tammy
Thank you for the sweet birthday wishes. You shared some great truth: We focus so much on the number that we lose sight of that truth. Amen. Thank you for being here.
Happy Birthday, Mary! What a lovely post.
But not, alas, a truth for me. The boys of summer fade away in the fall.
Those with whom I came of age
take now their places in the stands,
while I, who never turned the page
remain upon the blood-soaked sand.
I never found accepting grace,
and never learned dear wisdom’s truth
and now will have to turn and face
the fact of death within my youth.
This is, perhaps the best for all;
a hoary sage I could not be,
and to heed the final trumpet-call
is gladiatorial dsetiny.
So sit back, drink up, and, smiling, know
that I’ll put on quite a final show.
I believe you will put on quite a final show. I love your prose and deep thoughts about life. I’m praying for you as you continue to fight your battle.
Happy birthday dear friend! 🎂🎉
Welcome to the 60’s!!
May this year be filled to overflowing with God’s sweetest blessings, gift wrapped just for you!
Sending birthday hugs, prayers and love.
Glad to be here. I appreciate all of your sweet words.
Mary, again, Happy birthday to the girl who when the Lord weaved together in the womb, exclaimed, “Ta-da!”
I can just imagine God saying, “Ta Da” when each of us is born. It makes me think of Liz Curtis Higgs. I saw her speak and she said this.
Happy Birthday Mary! It’s encouraging to read (and remember) that God has purpose for our gifts and talents for others every day no matter our age!
May you always know that you have purpose and a future with God. Thank you for being here to celebrate my birthday.
Birthday blessings Mary! You are a beautiful gift to this world.
Thank you, Barbie! I love celebrating this new age.
Happy Birthday Dear Mary! I agree that 1960 was a great year! (Especially since it’s my Birth Year also, just a few months after you, in September.) I loved the lessons you have shared here. God does have a purpose in each season and the changing years of our lives. Have a Blessed 60th year!
I’m with you, Mary! I was born in 1960 and grew up with all brothers too! Love the way you have captured the blessings of growing older!
I love that we share not only our age but growing up with brothers too. Thanks for celebrating my birthday with me.
What a milestone Mary! I share your sentiment, though I was a 50’s baby but enjoyed the 60’s too!
Yes, aging is a lovely time of life, so let’s enjoy each day with rejoicing that the Lord has made 😀
Bless you,
Jennifer
So glad we are comrades in arms when it comes to age. 1960 was a great year. I am praying we both continue to say “yes” to what God is calling us to even as we get older.
Good morning, Mary. I love everything about this post. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for writing and sharing how God has led you to this abundant wisdom. I turn 50 in 11 days. I will be praying for His message to share on that day, if He allows me to live. Love in Christ, Julie
I can’t wait to celebrate you and love knowing we both have February birthdays. God has amazing things for you and fifty is just the beginning.
Mary, Happy Blessed Birthday week!! Being right in the middle of the boys is how my oldest daughter was because my 5th child (girl) was 10yrs younger, so she was the rose among the thorn too haha! Thank you for sharing these personable things with us and encouraging us that when it comes to our age, God still uses us no matter how old we are!
Thank you for the birthday wishes. I love being in the middle of boys now. 😉 May you know how much God loves you and wants you to succeed.
Happy Birthday to you, Mary! I love your attitude–so positive! Thanks for being a great linkup host, and I’ll be sharing this uplifting post on Twitter!
Thank you, Sarah! Staying positive keeps you younger. Thanks for being here.
Happy birthday, Mary! I am a Baby Boomer too and have many of the same memories growing up as you do. Thank you for sharing some of the wisdom you have gathered on your 60 trips around the sun. We do get “smarter” as we get older, don’t we? Life teaches us many lessons.
I loved this line: “Let’s believe there is always more to come as a child of God”. I certainly hope so!
Glad to know you are also a Baby Boomer. I really do think we get smarter. At least we have more experience from our trips around the sun. May you know and experience all God has for you.
I celebrate your special milestone, I celebrate the beauty of who you are.
Sending birthday hugs your way, friend …
I love celebrating with friends. Thank you for the birthday wishes and hugs.
Mary, Happy Belated Birthday! This is such a beautiful perspective on growing older. I loved your memory of roller skating in the basement as I did the same thing except in our attic 🙂 I am so grateful for the life the Lord has given me as it is such a blessing to pour into our grandchildren. I truly DO believe “there is always more to come as a child of God” and am looking forward to it along with you! Blessings!
Writing this post was not easy. I wanted to honor aging but not glorify it. For many, the idea of getting older is not their favorite. I love that you highlighted there is more to come as a child of God. That is a truth that keeps me going.
You are embodying 60 with all the class and godly wisdom I could hope for.
Thanks for blazing a trail! (I’m right behind you!)
Blessings and love to you as you celebrate!
You are too kind. I am trying to live life well and show others that aging is okay. Thanks for the blessings and love.
Aww! Happy 60th birthday! Age is a state of mind, and when we celebrate and embrace each stage, we’ll enjoy it so much more :). The older I get, the more I realize I don’t know everything (when I was 24, I pretty much thought I knew everything ; ) ).
Age is definitely a state of mind. I will never know everything but I do know I am the daughter of an amazing Father.
Belated happy birthday, Mary! I have found many of the same things to be true. Each new decade marker is a shock to the system in some ways, but after reflection, there’s much to thank God for and much He still has for us to do. (No need to enter me in your generous giveaway.)
Thanks for the birthday wishes. Each decade gives me a reason to pause and reflect. It’s good to look back to see how far you have come.
Happy birthday! May your day be very blessed. I agree with your list, especially the last one.
Thank you! It is a perspective changer to start our day in gratitude.
Ahhh, Mary. I so loved this post. I admit, in my fifties, I’m not liking some of the continuing aches and pains and some of the other changes I’m seeing.
Your perspective is refreshing, and it’s one I need to adopt more frequently.
I loved your reminder that God blesses us on the good and the bad days. I’ve recently lived this truth. Thank you for this!
And HAPPY BIRTHDAY! May your year be as wonderful as your birthday looked to be!
I have some of those aches and pains and my crown of gray hair and wrinkles. Age is partially a number but also as attitude we acquire. I am choosing to love my age. Trust me there are days I don’t but it makes me happy to know God has brought me this far. Thanks for the birthday wishes.