Thirty-six. Most days I simply cannot believe that I am a grown woman, age 36. Yet apparently, I am the perfect age now. The Guardian’s Observer Magazine proclaims 36 is the age of the “year-zero” face. The age women are spending tens of thousands of dollars to remain looking like forever, attempting to stop the hands of time with plastic surgery and botox.
I was intrigued as this morning I read a BlogHer article debating the issue.
At 36, I look in the mirror and I am relatively satisfied with what I see. Hours at the gym and a healthy diet have kept me somewhat fit and lean but cannot erase the slight sag still stretched across my lower belly or the few faint silver scars that remain as a testament that this body that has grown a child. The first signs of sun damage are appearing, freckles and stubborn age spots that refuse to fade. I’ve come to accept the deepening creases creeping from the corners of my eyes. I will try to slow their growth with drug store face creams, but no botox or plastic surgery for me.
But what if not only our bodies were frozen at age 36, but our entire lives?
At 36, I have the most amazing child I could have ever imagined. He grows more independent and self-sufficient each day yet he still needs me, my unconditional affection, support, and guidance. He is grown enough to be reading and riding a two-wheeler but is still lost in the magic of childhood fantasy and beliefs. He knows wars are real, but so is the Tooth Fairy. I may have yearned for more children in the past, but at 36, I know just one child, this child, is right for me.
At 36, I have found the love of my life and we will be celebrating 11 years of marriage this Spring. He is my best friend, my partner, my lover. I wouldn’t change a thing.
At 36, I am not forced to slave away at a job I hate. I’m still not sure what career I will hold when I grow up, but I have the luxury of a little time to discover myself as I transition from “just a SAHM.” I have time to read and write and think. My family is far from wealthy but we have enough to feel safe and pay our way.
At 36, I have a true home. It may not be grand, but a wave of calm and security washes over me each time I step inside. I can look at the wood floors, the shower tiles, the sun streaming onto the sunflower walls and feel a sense of pride that my sweat, my hands created this small haven.
At 36, I am grateful to still have my parents and family nearby. I’ve matured enough to respect their choices and I often look to them for their wisdom, support, and understanding. I’ve lost some loved ones over the last few years and I may not spend as much time with my extended family as I should, but I still cherish each moment I have with them.
At 36, I’ve stood in the ruins of the Colosseum, exchanged wedding vows in a 2,000 year old Roman monastery, and splashed through a flooded Venetian piazza. I’ve stood transfixed in the pre-dawn light watching lava crash down a volcano as the rainforest woke around me.
At 36, I have a good life.
But I don’t want to stay frozen here forever. I will let my body age with pride, confidence, and grace. With my husband beside me, I will guide my child through times of joy and turbulence and watch him grow into the fine man he is meant to become. I have books to write, skills to develop, a career to grow, passions to discover. I still have many acts left to be written and performed in my life. I have an entire world to explore.
At 36, I still have so much to learn, experience, and feel.
Thank you for your kind comment on the post I wrote about my mom. It means more than you know.
-Em
http://www.16ballsintheair.com
While it is true that many have plastic surgery to make themselves look younger or even better,there are a lot of people who have these types of procedures for motives connected with their own health or similar purposes.Many times a person may have conditions that involve plastic surgery because of a severe illness. In some cases a person could have dropped a lot of weight because of a sickness and so they might need surgery to help them accommodate the quick loss of bodyweight. Learn more:
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It’s a good place to be. Even if things are not perfect, to be able to find contentment in the things we have.
This is really amazing. Thank you for sharing such a beautiful perspective about what it means to be a woman, a mother, a homemaker, a wife and of course, ageless beauty.
Beautiful post!!
I’m 31 and feel the same…(though I did have plastic surgery, lol.) I feel really complete with my life, family, the skin I’m in…
This has def. been the feel good post of the day! Thanks!
What a beautiful post! 36 was a great time in my life. In fact, all of my 30’s were. And, despite the advancing wrinkles, etc., my 40’s are pretty awesome too.
What a beautiful post!! I’m creeping up on 40 and plan to hang on to that all is good in the world feeling for as long as I can:)
A beautiful, perfect way to look at life!
I agree: The mid-30s are a good place to be. Many good and hard experiences behind me that have made me strong and helped me figure out who I am, many more to look forward to.
The part about having a true home particularly resonates with me. A couple of months ago I realized that I’d been making the bed every morning for quite awhile. How odd! I was always one who thought, “Why make the bed if we’re just gonna mess it up again tonight?”
It is not that I have become a clean-freak (heck no!), it’s that I have this pride in my home and I really love when it looks nice. No more piles of clothes in the middle of the floor, no more sheets tangled at the foot of the bed.
Is this what growing up really means? If so, it feels…well…nice.
I love this post!! It’s such a positive and peaceful way of seeing and being in the world. All around me (I’m in my late 20’s) people are freaking out about turning 30. WHY on earth I have no idea because so far every single year just got better. This sums up exactly how I feel and how I hope I continue to feel for a good long while yet. Life is good. Thank you.
So beautiful! You have an amazing life right now, but I really admire how you aren’t afraid of growing older! Great perspective.
Freeze time? I want to turn back time! You actually are making me reconsider envisioning all the growth and adventure still yet to be! Great post!
It’s really nice to read about someone who is so content with her life. It does sound wonderful, but I don’t want to freeze life either. I want to continue watching my kids grow and get old and retire and travel the country.