We were with family this past weekend and my sweet aunts were saying “it’s your birthday this week…how old are you going to be again?” And I said “43″ and then my 18 year old cousin said “oh god, I don’t ever want to be that old” to which we all answered “it’s better than the alternative.”
I’m not sure she is convinced. But that is okay.
I remember being in college when my mom was 43 and thinking she was close to death..because my god. 43.
And do you know what was so awesome about my mom at this time – when I probably called her old and made fun of her not so tight skin and graying hair and stretch-marked belly – she never made fun of my spiral perm.
Because she was wise. Even though she was old.
And maybe she remembered what it was like being that young. Because it really wasn’t that long ago that she was fresh out of high school with big dreams …but oh wait. …my mom was 20 ..married and then had two babies by the time she was 21.
I had a cat and nearly a college degree..all with that spiral perm.
But I have to say my mom now has her sweet revenge as she can say “you know by the time I was 43 both my kids had moved out and were on their own…you are 43 with a two year old!” And then she laughs this weird evil laugh.
I kind of want to give her a spiral perm.
*****
There’s been this article flying around again “In Praise of Older Women” – that Andy Rooney did not write…Frank Kaiser did. And I have to say I don’t love it. At all. I don’t need some article to tell me how great being in my 40′s is. I especially don’t need a man telling me this.
And it’s hard to explain to an 18 year old how wonderful being in my 40′s is – especially when she is looking at my face. And gray hair.
But truthfully I know that I look and feel better now than I did 20 years ago.
So there.
And the only reassurance I need that everything is okay with the world and that I’m right where I’m suppose to be..even at my advanced age..with a two year old…
Is this.
That may be the most-perfect “happy birthday” ever delivered . . . and, I do believe that a spiral perm is a proper punishment for laughing at someone on their birthday.
But, um, what is a spiral perm?
I knew the “In praise of…” couldn’t have been Andy Rooney, but I never cared to do the research as to who might have done it (there’s really a horrible amount of stuff online that’s attributed to completely random people) because, well, it just seemed a bit backhanded.
Backhanded. Exactly. Maybe Andy needs a spiral perm. Oh wait…
OK, the video nearly made me cry.
I actually like getting older. I like my graying hair, I like the calmness that has come with learning how to relax in a way that was never possible in my twenties. I like that I have women like you that are a little bit older than me (not much, I swear) who show me that it just keeps getting better.
It truly does sweet friend. Thank you. oxxo
Happy “Buthday” to a wonderful, wonderful person all around! May your 43 years of wisdom let you make wise hair choices in the new year.
No crap – please let’s never do spiral perms again mkay?
Love this….I think of this all the time..
But I have to say my mom now has her sweet revenge as she can say “you know by the time I was 43 both my kids had moved out and were on their own…you are 43 with a two year old!” And then she laughs this weird evil laugh.
Happy Birthday…not too far behind you…in five days.
Happy Early Birthday to you sweet old one with a two year old. xo
I’m so happy that you posted that wonderful video at the end. I needed something to take my mind off that perm. Or maybe it was the pleats in your shorts. I just don’t know! It’s all so awful! Don’t worry, I was a hot mess too back that. Although I had a slammin’ Geri-curl!
Happy Birthday!
m.
It’s truly just so awful. Please never stop sharing old pics of your geri-curls dear friend.
Oh. My. Word. So cute!
Have a very happy birthday
Thank you! xoxo
You’re the most gorgeous 43 year old I have the privilege of knowing, with the sweetest 2 year old ever.
Have a fabulous day, you. xoxo
Thank you so much, Alison. Love you so much. xo
I hope you have a wonderful birthday. And look at it this way: you have years to warn your girls away from the spiral perm.
Seriously how does a mom say nothing to her daughter when she makes a hair mistake such as that?
Oh is there anything better than that sweet Happy Birthday message, I could just scoop her up and kiss her cheeks. Happy Birthday to a sweet, sweet friend who should totally bring back the spiral perm, and those shorts with the pleats in front.
Maybe we should all get perms for the New Year? What a great blogging meme.
Oh be still my heart….. what a sweet tribute. Love those smoochy kisses, those chubby cheeks….. *sigh* Heaven is little girls singing ‘Happy Birthday’
Truth – I’ve made her sing it to me 12 more times today.
Happy birthday to you! I love your views on age and recognizing how it’s changed over time. Your daughter is ADORABLE. There’s no greater present than that!
Thank you so much. Yes thank goodness that 43 isn’t even close to old anymore.
Love the sweet face, singing, and blown kisses! We are indeed better than ever:)
And please do NOT bring back those pleated shorts! hahaha-
Happy Birthday, Tracy! What a wonderful birthday message.
When I’m in my forties, I’d take being even half as beautiful and fit as you are. Oh, and the wisdom. I guess I’d like some of that too.
Thank you so much. I’m still waiting on wisdom and also the ability to remember my kid’s names.
Astrid is so sweet! You’d never guess she hated everyone not long ago. =)
Happy birthday, dear Mommies…
(Oh sweet baby girl!)
Hope your day, year, life is spectacular.
Much love to you my friend-who’s-fabulous-at-any-age-and-still-younger-than-I-am-so-obviously-damn-young.
And I’d rather read you than Andy Rooney OR Frank Kaiser any day.
They would both look crappy in a spiral perm.
Oh thank you. I think we should bring the spiral back in 2012. Maybe only for Vegas.
How sweet is that? And I love that it’s the perfect length for a vlog.
Happy birthday, my dear friend. So thankful for our friendship this year and am grateful you’re paving the way for me the next nine days…
xoxo
Also? That perm is spectacular!!
Isn’t it awesome. Good thing I had my bangs tied down. Grateful for you my love. xo
Aw, the spiral perm. I was just going through some old photos w/my mom & laughing until we were crying over some of my hair atrocities in the past. I blame her, she let me leave the house like that!!!
Astrid singing to you…best bday gift ever. Happy Birthday, Tracy!
I know – how will I not tell my children how ridiculous they look?
Happy Birthday to you! With age comes wisdom, wit, and grace…or so I keep telling myself.
Cheers to you!
p.s. I think we all survived that spiral perm stage. With age, also comes taste.
Happy Birthday Tracy! (I know it doesn’t compare to Astrid’s cuteness.)
You make 43 look effortless, stylish, and hot. I bow to your fashion know-how to the extent that I would follow you back into the land of spiral perms if you decided to bring them back
I am now highly considering a spiral perm for 2012.
Oh my gosh, are you kidding me?? I just died from the cuteness of that video! Yes, I’d say you’re definitely right where you’re supposed to be with that one. Happy Birthday!!
Happy 34! If that is the same cat, someone is older in the house then you…
Yeay you. Those the the cutest air blown kisses ever.
YAY for 34..and yes that cat is many years dead.
Yes! You’d better have a happy birthday. So there! *shaking finger at you*
(She is way too cute!)
It is also my husband’s birthday today. I will think you when I lift a glass of wine at dinner. Have a good one.
Happy Birthday! I hope you have the best day ever!!!
Beautiful post, beautiful video, beautiful you! Love! xo
Happy, Happy Birthday! You’re daughter’s song is so sweet and adorable. Having little kids at this age will keep you young! You look (and are) fabulous. Plus, I’ll always be 9 months older than you, you youngster!
YAY – I need more old people in my life.
If anyone could make the spiral perm a trend again, it would be you!
All I want for my 50th birthday is for Astrid to sing to me and blow me kisses.
Thanks for being the most amazing friend, and sharing your morning (and your manicure!) with me.
LOVE YOU!
It was such a lovely day because of you. xoxo
I’m 38 & I feel much more comfortable in my own skin with each year. I just wish that skin wasn’t getting wrinkles & liver spots
By the way, I think you are gorgeous! You are rockin your 40s. I think it shows that way because you are right where you are supposed to be.
Happy Birthday!
Can’t say it better than what you’ve said here. I’m at the point in my life where birthdays are almost always a mixed-feelings kinda thing. Am I happy about getting a year older? Nope. Would I give everything up in order to go back to being 21 again? NO WAY. Even with the few extra pounds I’ve accumulated in the past few years
Happy Birthday, and best wishes to you on your special day! You’ve been an inspiration, and I have no doubt that you’re one of those people who would simply become better and better with age.
That is the sweetest Happy Birthday video ever! Hope that you’ve had a stellar day, Happy 43 Tracy, may you be blessed with at least 43 more! I’m not quite to 40 yet, but I whole-heartedly agree with you…it totally rocks to look back & see what those wrinkles & stretch marks have to show for themselves…like actual little people! And just feeling comfortable in my own skin, I don’t know many 18 year olds who feel that way, probably because their skin is still way too tight!
Laughing so hard about those insecure 18 year olds with tight skin. lol xo
Can you even imagine dropping off one of your girls at college right now?? My mom was 43 when I left for IU! Crazy! Thankfully my kids have not realized that I might be slightly older than some of the other moms:-) Can’t imagine things being different….love being an older mom which I’m sure you do too! Happy holidays to you and your family!
Happy Holidays, Dede. I am so grateful for the many old moms in our area. lol
whenever I permed my hair it would fall right out…I’ve always been sad about that…
until now! Because seeing that picture made me realize how not awesome I would have looked…
so thanks!
oh, and Happy 43!
Thank you! Yes, perms are never the right answer.
I love your mom’s response. I think the same when I realize that at my age my mom already had pre-teens and here I am with a newborn!! You look amazing for 43 and not at all old!
Happy Birthday, you are beautiful own it! Happy Holidays too
Happy (way belated, I know!) Birthday!
I think you look great and it’s true because I said so.
xoxo
p.s. oh the cute in that video!!!!
43 never looked so good! (and since I will be 42 soon….I know that we are getting older and better…..you’re a good example of how to age fantastically!!!! That’s a word right???? LOL)