*I’m actually 18 times 3 + 2 since this is a two-year-old blog!
I have a math teacher friend who was enthralled with me turning 54 this weekend. “So many factors,” he marveled. I appreciated his love of numbers, but what I really loved was his end-of-the-evening surmisal: “You realize you have been 18 three times now, right?” Now THAT I can appreciate!
The longitude of three 18s makes me wonder if I shouldn’t be a bit further along the wisdom and acceptance cycle than I am, but that said, I’m largely content with my tiny place on the planet and what I’m doing to make it a bit better. For better or worse, I’m not nearly as vain as I used to be; I’m delighted with my teaching career, and my ego has settled into being a support teacher and not the homeroom guru anymore. As my sweetheart says, “You gotta get used to being a Robin, not a Batman.”
My little family in our little apartment in Beijing most of the time makes me feel vastly content and so thankful that we are at peace with one another and don’t half-mind spending time in one another’s companies. Charlotte and I DID have a little come-to-Jesus moment last night when she decided it was fine to not only be up, but to come to our bathroom for a shower at midnight. I definitively told her it was not, and how could I possibly be the non-interfering mother I work so hard on being if she isn’t taking care of herself.
“But that’s why I’m having a shower!” she argued.
“But why would you do it at midnight?” I countered.
“Because I’ve been busy until now,” she replied.
“On your phone? On your computer? In your bed? For the last twelve hours?” I demanded, hoping to stimulate guilt.
“Well, yeah,” she replied, completely without guile.
Point well-taken.
As part of my weekend-long birthday festivities, Don-the-birthday-planner-extraordinaire, took me on a three and a half hour walking tour centered on the 1900 Boxer Rebellion, which had us cantering around the Legation Quarters and the Forbidden City area of Beijing. It made me thankful that this 54 year old body could cope with the many kilometers my Sketchers took me on. The tour group seemed to be ambling as I hotfooted it in fast forward, double-speeding on my stocky little legs just to keep up.
To prove just how well adjusted this 18-times-three-er is, however, Don and I indulged in a foot massage that evening, and I partook of a full body massage today. And, yes, living in China makes such luxuries affordable. BUT affording oneself these luxuries might be what an 18-times-three person brings to the game of life. We know how to take care of ourselves. And we do it.
As I write this, my 15 year old is wandering listlessly around the house, still in her pajamas at three in the afternoon, complaining about how tired she is (though she’s fairly recently gotten out of bed) and telling us there is nothing to eat, though the house is fairly bursting with food. I’ve eaten thrice already (most of it healthy), and have had a few vanilla lattes as well as had my indulgent massage. Oh, and I fit in a shower, did the New York Times Sunday crossword puzzle, and about two hours of editing report cards. That feels just about right for 18-times-3er on a Sunday.
Charlotte’s just now come in to my “mommy patio,” chomping on a carrot with a cookie in the other hand, and invited me to try on makeup with her. I think it’ll be fun. Why not? She might be able to give this aging momma some tips.
Aches and pains and wrinkles aside, though, I’d pick my age over hers any day. Life is good. Thank you again for your birthday wishes and encouragement. I feel all loved-up!
