I attended a birthday party last weekend. My sweet friend, Nikki, whom I’ve known since high school, celebrated her 50th birthday Saturday evening with a painting party. It was a great party. I laughed until my sides hurt and managed to paint something that resembled the sunflower were supposed to paint. Our little group had some real talent, and the rest of us painted, too.
Nikki is now the same age as me. Well, for the next three months, anyway. Most of the ladies at her party were our age or a little older. It was nice to hear that many of us have the same side effects of aging. We joked about the hot flashes, the aches, the brain fog, the urge to nap, and dealing with grown children. I think the fact that we had so much in common is a huge reason the party was so successful.
As I walked around the room to stretch my injured knee that didn’t appreciate me perching on the art stool, I saw smile after smile. Our laughter was so loud that I’m surprised someone didn’t call the police. Then there was the singing. We spontaneously burst into song along with the radio, which was playing the top 100 songs from 1989. I remember that year fondly.
In honor of Nikki’s 50th birthday, I’m sharing my poem, Fifty Birthday Candles, which I wrote shortly after my own birthday last year. Welcome to the dark side, my friend! We may be slow, but we have cookies.
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Fifty Birthday Candles
By Margarite Stever
Fifty birthday candles brought New headaches and neck pain, Muscle twinges and spasms, And a plethora of night sweats.
Fifty birthday candles brought AARP discounts and a colonoscopy, Pharmacy calls for the shingles vaccine, And a plethora of night sweats.
Fifty birthday candles brought Wrinkles beneath my eyes, Extra padding around my waist, And a plethora of night sweats.
Fifty birthday candles brought A mailbox full of life insurance ads, Hearing aid flyers and Ensure coupons, And a plethora of night sweats.
Fifty birthday candles brought Forgetfulness and confusion, Tennis elbow and trifocals, And a plethora of night sweats.
Fifty birthday candles brought The courage to face all this and more, Precious wisdom borne of experience, And a plethora of night sweats.
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