Nose Rings & Cameos

Well the inevitable has happened.

On the day that I turned 40 I didn't feel as old as my 16 year old self had thought I would feel. Though I'm sure my old self would be shocked if she suddenly had this 40 year old body. She would want to hit the gym, see the hairdresser, and get some stylish clothes. She'd wonder why I never pierced my nose like I swore I would. She would say, "What happened to law school?" She would be appalled to hear her brother say, "You're just like mom." She would gasp at the idea of homeschool and tell you that she didn't have a domestic bone in her body. She was career-bound. She would own a townhouse, not a farmhouse. She wouldn't like my life one bit. She might even weep.

But on the day that I turned 40, my 40 year old self couldn't stop saying, "Thank you". Thank you, Father, for giving me the real desires of my heart. Thank you for my husband who spoils me - no matter what day it is. Thank you for my mom, who reminded me to be delighted at being 40 and healthy. Thank you for my sister who just wanted to be with me. Thank you for my friends who showered me with sweet words and gifts. Thank you for the years that have given me lots of children. Thank you, Father, that the love of nose rings turned into the love of cameos.

What a blessing to not be my thin, pretty & fashionable younger self!

(pictured: gift package from Punk Rose Journal - Thank you, sweet Sher for sending a gift on just the right day!)

24 comments:

  1. Oh,
    Happy sweet 40th to you! It's younger than you think...

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  3. Your 40 year old self is a wise woman indeed. Happy Birthday! Sue

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  4. Happy Birthday! It sounds like life is pretty good for you at 40. Hope you had a wonderful day!

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  5. Happy Birthday Polly!
    It sounds like your day was just beautiful and so nice to spend it with all the people you love.
    xo~Tracie

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  6. What a wonderful post! Sending along belated birthday hugs!
    Betty :)

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  7. Well, yet another of God's Divine Interventions - I had no idea the package would arrive on that day - but I am so glad it did. 40 is a nice rounded number. It says "I have grown in wisdom", "I still have youth", "I have many blessings under my belt" and "I am content". Now let me say "Thank you" for being "our" Polly-Girl. Love ya Sis!

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  8. Happy birthday Polly! 40 is the new 30 so it's not old at all:>) We are all different people than we were at 16, hopefully wiser and more realistic! I have decided that as I get older, always looking forward is the way to go. There isn't a whole lot my 16 year old self can teach me anymore. I hope you had a wonderful day and that the year ahead finds you blessed with health and happiness:>)

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  9. Happy birthday Polly, and so the saying goes, 'youre only as old as you feel', some days are better than others, but we should always be thankful.Besides, 40 is still so young, Im 43, and I feel 21, sometimes!
    Sue

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  10. Aren't you happy He knew what you really wanted all along? Happy birthday...40 is a wonderful place to be. Take it from one who's been there and would love to go back...not to 21 for any amount of money, but 40 the perfect age.
    Debbie

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  11. OH! I am so happy to make my first visit to your blog on your birthday post!! Happy, happy birthday. This is the best time of your life, and it only gets better and better. God is so good, and faithful.

    40 ....it's the beginning of the best time of your life. Enjoy.
    xoxo Lidy

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  12. Happy Birthday!
    What a beautiful Birthday post ♥

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  13. Your 40 certainly gives me something to look forward to! ;) Happy Birthday...and what a lovely post. I too have had some of the same dreams...and have found even in the short 5 years since leaving college so many have already changed...and I long to have the ones you have now! ;) Blessings sweet friend...

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  14. Happy Birthday Polly! I wish you all the happiness in the world...but it seems you already have it...God knows what the heart wants.

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  15. ~Happy Birthday~
    What a refreshingly wonderful attitude. Much joy should surround one with such an attitude.

    blessings
    Cindy♥

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  16. Buon Compleanno Polly = Happy Birthday Polly, great post. Ciao

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  17. God is good! He who began a good work is faithful to complete it!
    Happy (belated) Birthday!
    Rene'

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  18. Well Polly ~ A beautifully written post. Thanks for sharing your birthday with us. Oh Happy Day!
    xo Roberta
    p.s. 40 is really a very good age!

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  19. Happy belated birthday! I hope that you had a very happy day! I turned 43 this year and I'm lovin' it!

    Hugs,
    Lee Laurie

    P.S. I love when you said that you were glad the thoughts of the nose ring turned into thoughts of cameos! That made my morning! LOL

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  20. Happy 40th, Polly!!! When I turned 40 I got that ankle tatoo I have always wanted but thought "that is just something that you don't do." It was the extent of my "middle age crazies", much to Artie's relief! Love to pop in and see all the loveliness here! Cheerio, Esther

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  21. Happy 40th! Not sure what day your birthday was ...but I turned 41 this week! I know how you feel. :0) And I too, am happy to be healthy. And I spent my bday with my Sister this year for the first time in a long time. Here's to another good year!

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  22. Happy Birthday! 40's the new 20! LOL

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  23. Happy 40th!!!!! Father knows best. lol Was that a TV show? Anyway it is such a blessing to love the life you have grown into and to like the self your are becoming! I hope you had a yummy piece of cake to celebrate.
    Blessings, Gerri

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  24. Happy 40th Polly! I feel the same way. The things that used to be so important to me, even 10 years ago are just not a big deal anymore. I like myself better at 45, than I did at 25. Enjoy your 40's... they really are FABULOUS!!!

    Karen
    My Desert Cottage

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