Oh Lordy, Here comes 40

I think it feels sorta like when I was pregnant at 36. I gained so much weight and I would cry. I thought the same thing. Why was I sad when I was pregnant with a baby that I thought I may never have. Women go through so many mixed emotions. Hopefully your sadness passes like mine did. I'm sure every woman feels sadness at different times in her life.

If you have all of that going for you, I would thank my blessings and be thankful that you are alive to enjoy it.
Think of the people that don't live to see their 40th. It could all be gone tomorrow and then you really would have something to be sad about. It goes to show that a person can have everything and still be sad. No one can make you happy but yourself, so suck it up and live everyday to the fullest!! Happy Birthday!

One Happy Mom in Arizona.

It beats the alternative.... Take a day and reflect on the "coulda" and "shoulda's" and then let it go. Strap on your running shoes because life is just now getting good!

Happy Birthday.

Remind yourself that it's just a number. After you start paying your own rent, you no longer have to "act your age".

Go roller-blading, ride a bike, play hopscotch, buy yourself a new 2-piece swim suit, or chase your children around with a water gun.

In another 10 years, you can join the Purple Hat Society.

I am approaching 40 myself and have moments where I am completely astounded...what if I have already lived half my life????

Our lives are truly lived in chapters.

I'm with the rest of the ladies here and say, "go for it." Make it about the new chapter in your life, as a mature and directed woman, who knows what/who/how she wants things.

You go, Girl!

Mouse_tales is a discussion leader in the East Valley for arizonamoms.com. She is a business owner, community volunteer, and aspiring runner (whew!), who most enjoys her roles as wife & mom. Her children range in age from 4 to 13.

It's a milestone - completely understandable. However, its a wonderful milestone. I'm sure in two years I'll be feeling the same way....and I'll be telling myself 'be happy' as you had noted...all the wonderful things in your life. Happy soon-to-be birthday!

LisaMommy is a 38 year old discussion leader for arizonamoms.com from the Paradise Valley/Scottsdale area. Her two boys are ages 7 months and 3 years old.

Because you've hit the "milestone middle" as I call it! You're not old but you're really not young anymore either. I think you're just looking back and maybe your memories are making you wistful. Depending on how old your kids are, this could be the best decade of your life. I just turned 50, my kids are 23, 20, 18 and 14 and my husband and I are just beginning to enjoy that freedom! My fourties were wonderful AND busy-raising kids, being a taxi driver to them all, room mother, baker, cleaner, doctor--you get the point. Enjoy your new decade! Celebrate it with those wonderful friends and your family. You know what's nice about getting older? Things you thought were important a few years ago, really aren't important at all...you come to realize what really is. And you've already done that....I can read it in your letter! Happy Birthday!

Paz

I just saw this article, and thought about you ...

http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/personal/05/12/older.happier.ap/index.htm...

I think it's a natural time to take a self-assessment. I know I did it when I turned 40. In my case, the melancholy that I felt was temporary. When I left my 20's, I thought they were the best time in my life - I got married, started my career, bought my first house - and being able to experience all of those "firsts" made it a great decade. When I left my 30's, I thought that was the best decade in my life - I had kids, we were financially stable, I was secure in my marriage - and the stability and peace that had come into my life made me realize that my 20's, while fun, were too busy and fast-paced for me now. And now, the 40's are here - that "in-between" time. We are (usually) done with child-bearing, established in our careers or lifestyles, secure in our marriages and finances, and... well, we're starting to think about those next major milestones, and they all begin to center around someone else... when do the kids graduate/go to college/move out of the house? When do my parents need to have long-term care? Are we doing what we need to for retirement? These are definitely not the issues we faced when we were 20 or 30! Now that the "40" milestone has come and gone, I have made my peace with it... and I believe you will, too. I have never felt better - both physically and emotionally. I have always had a rock-solid marriage, and yet it has never been better than it is now. I know how I want to raise my kids. I know what the next steps in my life are. I know what kind of laundry detergent gets out stains the best (just seeing if you are still paying attention). What I'm trying, rather inelegantly, to say is that I have never been more confident in my skin than now. It took 40 years, but I finally know who I am, and, more importantly, how to peacefully live with that person!