super at 70

i just found a draft that i meant to post on or close to my mother's birthday last month.
with scoutie's silly monster party that very day (also christopher's bday), i was a teensy bit distracted.
i just found it and figured it's never too late.  if you are 40+, or even approaching your 40s,
you're going to appreciate this. 

*****************************

today is my mom's 70th birthday.
i love celebrating decade birthdays and i sure wish i could
be with her to celebrate this one. i'm celebrating this very
special woman from afar today and i wish her another decade
of health and happiness.

back in the april 2011 issue of real simple,
i came across an article written by five experts who had
studied - and lived- long enough to know that gouda and
pinot noir aren't the only things that improve with age. 

today, as my mother enters a new decade,
i pulled up the article and had to share.

so here's what the experts say are 5 great things about getting older 

1. You'll be happier
turns out, most grumpy people used to be grumpy young people.  aging doesn't turn a cheerful person into a grouch.  to the contrary, research has shown that as we age, we become more emotionally stable and content.

2. Decisions will come more easily
scientists use to think that we lose a significant number of our brain cells as we age, but more sophisticated scans have debunked this theory.  we now know that we hit our cognitive peak between the ages of 40 and 68. through the years, our brains build up connections and recognize patterns - meaning we're better problem-solvers and can more quickly get the gist of an arguments.

3.  The fashion police will be off your back
go ahead and wear five finger running shoes or orthopedic sandles. no longer must you prance around in painful heels. you no longer care about impressing anyone.  one of the greatest contributions to longevity is moving - fast, on flat feet.

4. You'll know who you area sense of urgency comes with aging. when I was younger, i was tenative about many things, but now i know my own voice, and most important, i have the confidence to use it.

5.  You'll have time on your hands
if you've been driving yourself for years - working, raising a family, or both - it's an adjustment to have spare time once your job has slowed down and the kids have flown the coop. the good thing about getting older is that you've seen it all, lived it all, felt it all - and now you can take a moment to share what you've learned.

i hope you enjoyed these as much as i did.