Tru at 54
I have become something my husband never knew: a 54 year old woman. Yes, today is my birthday, and with it comes the reality that I've taken another step away from the past, away from my husband and mother.
My husband knew me as a young woman. He knew me as a middle-age woman. But never did he know the 54 year old me. Neither did my mother. At this age, I'm barely young enough to be my mother's child. She was 69 when she passed, now, thinking of her, and how she looked before she passed, she seems like an older sister to me. I know that if I live long enough, my husband will one day look like a young man to me. He was only 59 when he passed.
It's strange. My husband was born on September 10th. I made it through that day without becoming overly sad. Perhaps it was because it fell the day before September 11th. Maybe the sadness of that day overshadowed his birthday. At any rate, today, my birthday made me pensive. I'm a year older--I'm 5 years younger than my husband when he passed. When he was alive I was 6 years younger, sometimes 7. But now, I'm catching up with him. And one day I'll pass him. And everyday I'm another step away from the years he lived, the life we had.
He seems lost in time to me. But, if time travel did exist, I could go back and see him still young and vibrant. But I will still be 54.
My husband knew me as a young woman. He knew me as a middle-age woman. But never did he know the 54 year old me. Neither did my mother. At this age, I'm barely young enough to be my mother's child. She was 69 when she passed, now, thinking of her, and how she looked before she passed, she seems like an older sister to me. I know that if I live long enough, my husband will one day look like a young man to me. He was only 59 when he passed.
It's strange. My husband was born on September 10th. I made it through that day without becoming overly sad. Perhaps it was because it fell the day before September 11th. Maybe the sadness of that day overshadowed his birthday. At any rate, today, my birthday made me pensive. I'm a year older--I'm 5 years younger than my husband when he passed. When he was alive I was 6 years younger, sometimes 7. But now, I'm catching up with him. And one day I'll pass him. And everyday I'm another step away from the years he lived, the life we had.
He seems lost in time to me. But, if time travel did exist, I could go back and see him still young and vibrant. But I will still be 54.
Replies
Happy Birthday my dear...here\'s to embracing the new you while bringing your love along with you in your heart. Hugs, Diane
Happy Birthday...may you see many more healthy and happier years.
Happy Birthday Tru- hugs
Debbie
Tru,
Each of us will go through changes, as a result of our losses. Aging is one of the inevitable natural changes. Others will be changes we choose to make to our lifestyles, behaviors, homes, activities and so on. Some of these changes may become part of us without our conscious decision. In many cases change means growth. I suspect it is likely many of us will come out of this experience changed and stronger, more compassionate, perhaps more forgiving and less judgmental that before. This is after all a \"life changing event.\" I hope you are at peace with the changes you encounter. Peace be unto you.
Eddie
Happy belated Birthday...hope you had a great one, hugs, Sandi
Oh Sorry Tru, I was on my way here to your journal last night to tell you happy birthday when I had to restart this crazy computer and I just realized I didn\'t make it back here! So happy birthday a day late (well almost 2 at this hour).
Hugs to you
Angie
Happy Belated Birthday to you. I turned 54 this past January 11, 2010. Join the club. This birthday never bothered me as I was still grieving for the loss of my Smokey. It was turning 50 that hit me hard but thru Jesus Christ I got thru it relatively unscathed. I never thought about what you said when our husbands passed, the age and our age as we get older. It is a very interesting way of looking or perceiving things that is for sure. All the best from Diane B who is also 54.