600 months, 219000 days, 5,256,000 hours… half a century to be precise! Yes, that’s what’s happening to me this month – I’m turning fifty! You know the only thing that’s worse than turning fifty – it’s not being around to turn fifty!

And I’m glad to have been around, the good times and the bad. For the times I’ve cried and for the shoulders I’ve had to cry on. For the times I’ve laughed and the people I’ve had around to share the joy with. For all the lessons learned and all the rewards I’ve cherished. For my wonderful son, whose presence outweighs every trouble I’ve been through. For the tingling anticipatory happiness of a soon-to-be grandmother. For finding love so unexpectedly now in my life when I had stopped looking long ago. So three cheers for the next fifty to come!

A friend sent me an email with some quotes on growing up without growing old – and I want to share a few here that really made me pause in thought or laugh out loud – enjoy!

"Old age is like climbing a mountain. You climb from ledge to ledge. The higher you get, the more tired and breathless you become, but your views become more extensive."

"If someone wants a piece of you, never let them pay. What you do not give to them time takes anyway." – Jimmy Buffet

"If you live to be one hundred, you've got it made. Very few people die past that age." – George Burns