Wednesday, November 17, 2010

The Year of Being Fifty

Yesterday was my birthday.

Up until the last few weeks, the prospect of turning 50 bothered me. Alot. I don't know why. After all, my life is pretty darn good. I am healthy. I have wonderful friends. I work with pretty string every day. I've made a nice home. I worship the man I am married to. (I think he likes me OK too.)

So, why the angst? It took me a long time to put my finger on it and an even longer time to own up to it. I was afraid of being the stereotypical middle aged woman who knits. And I don't even have a cat.

There were two incidents that helped turn me around. First was my visit to Wild Purls in Montana. Julia, the owner, turned fifty over the summer and she was embracing it. She went to a reunion, she organized a girlfriends weekend, she called friends and offered them the "opportunity" to buy her lunch. After all, this is her Year of Being Fifty. I think that has a nice ring to it.

The other thing that happened was a conversation with my dear friend, Frank. He had stopped by the studio to visit during the Ravenswood Art Walk. I mentioned that I was less than thrilled with this birthday and told him my misgivings about the yarn lady thing. He looked around, cocked his head and started laughing uproariously. Then he said "You are a yarn lady. What does your age have to do with it? No one is going to love you any less."

So here I am. Fifty. Would you like to buy me lunch?

16 comments:

floribunda said...

definitely -- just let me know next time you're anywhere near San Francisco!

JennR said...

Sure. Next time I'm in Chicago, we can celebrate your 50th and my 45th. It'll be fun!

Jenn said...

Happy Birthday! It's funny how numbers make us respond. And I'd buy you lunch if it wasn't awkward. And if I lived closer.

Sheri at The Loopy Ewe said...

Yes, I'll buy you lunch! And then you can buy ME lunch in February. Deal?

Jody said...

I would buy you your lunch in a New York minute!!!

Susan from Phoenix said...

I know you don't really know me but.. .If you come to Phoenix, I will buy you lunch! You should come sometime when it's snowing in Chicago and beautiful here.

We can go for a run and then sit outside in the sun and knit!!

As for the turning 50 thing. . .I'm only a year and a half behind you and I say, SO WHAT?! We are wise and confident and healthy and can look forward to 50 more years!

Janet said...

Being 50 is awesome. I just turned 50 on November 1st. We should do lunch. :-) In Alaska!

Fujiyamamama said...

Happy Birthday! I would love to buy you lunch, and then cupcakes from Sweet Sensations.

The Mom said...

Happy Birthday!! I've been 50 going on eight years now!!! Just gets better and better !!!! The yarn lady thing, it has a nice ring to it.

ikkinlala said...

Happy (belated) birthday!

Uncle Lori said...

I'd buy you lunch! Heck, I'd even buy you yarn! (Coals to Newcastle and all that.) Happy birthday!

Jen said...

i'd love to buy you lunch, especially if you let me test knit any pretty string you have lying around! unfortunately i'm very far away!!
Happy Birthday
And if it makes you feel any better, i'm 29, with 2 cats, no boyfriend and LOTS of yarn :) If anyone here is a crazy yarn lady, i don't think it's you!

Rona said...

I tried very hard to get to Chicago this past fall and got sick. I would love to buy you lunch next time I imake it to Chicago - I'm only 100 miles east of you. I am celebrating the 16th anniversary of turning 50. It was a glorious year. Enjoy it!

Joyce said...

Come to Las Vegas! I'll buy you lunch! I have some experience with the turning 50 thing and it's really not quite as painful as a root canal! I would love to have lunch and by the way, love your new book!

Jennifer said...

Definitely! This 51 year old in the western suburbs of Chicago would cheerfully buy you lunch. I'm just finishing a pair of socks in Cody's Love...and it is love!

Julia said...

Hey Beth, I just found this and must say with the comments, this 50 thing is turning out pretty nice for you. BTW, with all the free lunches you're getting, you'll have to buy me lunch next time I see you.

Hope you are loving the big five oh!