Cordelia's Mom, Still

Recently, I “celebrated” my 69th birthday.

How is that even possible?  Why, just last week I was a tiny girl riding the kiddie cars at a local amusement park.  And only a day later, I was a small child playing in the sandbox with her bestest friend.  Shortly thereafter, I graduated from high school, and within a few more days I married, and then raised my three beautiful daughters.

My inner self insists that’s all true, despite what my outer self sees in the mirror more than half a century later.

Aging, gracefully or otherwise, is not for the faint-hearted.

Imagine my shock when I realized that my three daughters are now the same age I was when I began my married life and was already partway through my working days.  Imagine my further shock when I realized that each and every one of my girls has already advanced way beyond what I’ve accomplished over these many years.

Probably that’s the way it should be.  These days I reflect back on what my own mother’s life was like; only now do I see how things really were when I was growing up.  Were she still here I’d finally be able to discuss with her the joys and  struggles of raising a family, becoming an empty nester, and entering the twilight years.  Sure, we talked about these things when she was alive, but I didn’t truly understand.

Rest in peace, Mom.  You did good, and we’re all so much better for having you in our lives.  I can only hope that once I’m gone, my children will feel the same about me.

If the stars align, I will live as long as Mom did.  She was 90 when she died, which means I should have more than 20 years left to enjoy this earth; and the older I become, the more I find myself savoring each and every day.  ‘Cause any day could very well be my last.

With that in mind, I’m doing what I can to continue on.  This morning, I received my second Moderna vaccine shot.  So far, so good, but wish me luck – I’ve heard the after-effects of the second shot are not as mild as after the first shot – but still so much better than the alternative.  I plan to prop myself up in bed with my crocheting and a cup of tea for the rest of this afternoon.  Puppy Cody is way ahead of me.

Another week down.

May we all have many, many more weeks, days, years and months.

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Images by Cordelia’s Mom/TeddyRosalieStudio