THE UNSUNG HERO

Wednesday morning awaits right outside . I opened the door about four, "I" and I peering out. But neither of us decided to start up with her yet. "I" went back to bed, snuggling close to The Emperor. I have a cup of tea here by the computer. I sift through thoughts as I try to arrange a few words in my mind. Hoping they hop over to the computer in clean crisp form. Of course I never do anything clean and crisp. Why would I think I would start today

After receiving a very nice email from my cousin Margie I am truly going to try and get a new attitude about this fast approaching Birthday. As of yesterday evening I am embracing my age. Now this is a big step for me, the only thing harder is giving up "Debbie Cakes." Which giving them up isn't that hard because I've never did it yet.

I sat down the other night with a box of "Miss Debbie." Her sweet face smiling at me from the box. "Deb," I said, "We have to stop meeting like this. Your looks are staying the same. I am getting fatter by the day." Debbie looked at me not saying a word, just smiling that phony smile of hers. This last year the more I've worried about my age the more sweets I've ate. Oh the endless circle I have been running.

Last night I made a new vow. I will no longer run from mirrors. I will proudly stare right at myself in every mirror I see. Though I do have to be honest, I see very little of my face in the mirror. It seems though the wrinkles always shows through the haze. I will no longer cry when the word seventy is spoken in my presence.I will be brave. I tremble as I write this.

I am like most people. I do not feel my age . I feel like I have been trapped in a time warp from which there is no escape. My daughter is fifty-one and I don't feel I should even be that age. She seems to take aging much better than me. But she is eighteen years younger than me. I don't think I got so upset at each Birthday at her age either.

I intend to live to be a hundred. I want to be like my neighbor Evelyn at age ninety-seven she is still going strong. I think her secret is she drinks Walnut Tincture every day and has the most enquireing mind I know. I think that is the secret right there. Keeping your mind young and active. I will take this next thirty years as the opportunity to learn and have new experiences. So watch out world I am just getting started.

And to my cousin Margie I think you are amazing. I think about the Essay your grandson has written about you. You being his Unsung Hero. How neat that you at eighty-five have impressed him as an Unsung Hero. He is only twelve. Margie's said in her email if she had given up at seventy and said it was over. She would have never had her grandson in her life. Her statement set me back on my heels. How very true. Who knows what lies a few years up the road. You have given me words to grow on Margie. Thank-you.

As I stand at the corner of Blogland I notice a light burning in the one store window. Its been very dark in there since they took the Christmas lights down. I move to the window and stare in. I smile. Its a "Happy Birthday" sign. Surely they don't mean it for me. I watch as the bright neon sign flickers. I take it as a omen this means the year ahead will be great. Maybe I will write a book this year. Maybe I will walk the "Katy Trail." Who knows. Its still two weeks till my birthday and I'm already excited. Oh yeah, sure I am.But for today, I'm outta here.