"At My Age"....

I'm not gonna lie.... it's just been one of those weeks.  AND, IT'S ONLY WEDNESDAY.  Sigh

We all have these times, and it frankly doesn't matter what age you are... 2 or 92, we have times that running away for awhile just sounds kinda nice.  But let's face facts, we can't always run away.  I mean, who is going to make sure everyone eats (even if it is McDonalds AGAIN) or that the dogs get fed (including their pumpkin oats mixture that you insist go on top their grain free food, so that they'll actually eat it), or that everyone has clean underwear on and has actually brushed their teeth and didn't just run the water for a few minutes to make you think they did???  Who is going to continue to make everything look pinterest perfect if you up and run off for a week???

Yes, this week has been a struggle around our home.  Stresses on all fronts... normal stress, transitional stress, extended family stress, work stress, health stress, you name it and we are most likely juggling it this week around our home.  And trust me, our home is looking a little worse for wear about now because of it.  I really need to tackle Mt Laundry and the Great Dish Wars (aka: get the dishes done - by hand, right now).  I may or may not have actually decided buying new underwear was easier than tackling the laundry the other night (and yes, I ALWAYS wash it before wearing - but at least there was (or wasn't) any sorting ;)  It's been the type of week that getting up in the morning is painful on every level, staying on task all day proves to be near impossible, and winding down and shutting off my mind at night is just not happening.  The kind of week that even your dreams keep you frustrated and busy, leading to zero rest.  Y'all should see my sleep readout on my Fitbit!  It looks as bad as Gracie's dexcom readings during puberty!  I spend more time "restless" or awake than actually sleeping.  And, what do you think all this leads to.....Yup!  You guessed it... a very cranky Mama, trying to hold it all together and be a good example for her 4 beautiful daughters. Let's just say, I've offered many peace offerings this week....

Then today I was watching a Facebook live that one of my sweet friends was doing for her Younique business.  This is a friend whom I've grown up with; friends for about 35 years or so.  We studied together, got into a bit of mischief together at times, graduated together, watched each other get married and start our families, and we've watched our families grow as well as watched our children grow up.  In her FB Live today, she made a simple comment..."at my age..."  If you know me at all, you are most likely not surprised that those 3 words sent my mind down a rabbit trail, especially after the week I've had already ;)

You see, she and I are the same age.  She just celebrated her milestone birthday yesterday.  She admitted that she had a hard time swallowing this particular number because "it's a BIG one".  But you know what?  I see the same sweet GIRL I've known since we were barely teenagers.  She hasn't changed at all, in my view.  She's just as beautiful today as she was at 15.  I see the same smile, the same gorgeous eyes, the same gentle heart.  It's that way with all my friends.  It's not that we haven't grown and matured.  It's just that we've all done it together.  But you know what?  I know that when she looks in the mirror each morning, she's not seeing what I see.  Like me, I'm sure she's harder on herself....hence her comment "at my age..."

Here's the deal: "At My Age" is the busy season of life.  Most of us still have children that we are raising at home, older children who are establishing their own life outside of our home, in homes of their own, some are planning weddings, some may be married and planning families, we are also sandwiched on the other side of things with caring for our parents if we are blessed enough to still have them with us, and we are also still very much in the middle of our career lives and the demands that puts on us as well.  So yes, when we look in the mirror we may no longer see the beauty we long ago remember, rather we see a tired reflection looking back.  It's during times of added stress, we see that reflection and tend to beat ourselves up all that much more, as we are flooded with the words and attitudes thrown carelessly our way and it becomes harder to not let them affect us.  As every hurtful word, look, or sigh that was tossed at us suddenly comes floating through our thoughts, they begin to stick; and we begin to feel "less than", beaten down, worthless.  And.... we get cranky.  We may withdraw into ourselves for much needed solitude.  And yes, we dream of running away.  Not forever, just for a few days; to sleep, rest, eat foods that you actually enjoy, not the leftover chicken nuggets from the kids lunch, walk in quiet solace, maybe take in a movie, read a book, do our nails and not get them chipped an hour later.  You know, grown up things that just sound so indulgent, but that our weary souls so desperately need.

So when you see a friend who seems to be dragging a little, or you happen to hear her children comment that "mom is so cranky", take a moment to offer something uplifting: a kind word, an invite to have coffee together, an offer to watch the kids while she and her husband go to dinner..... or just laugh with her and tell her how wonderful she looks even if she has a messy bun, shoes that don't match, and muddy paw prints all over her shirt while she's grumbling to herself about how everyone "can just go to *$#@" right now.  Life is overwhelming no matter what phase you're in and we really have no way of knowing what others are dealing with.  But, we can take the time to be kind and love on them without condition, without judgement.  It's what we are called to do.  Your kindness can absolutely lift someone else's burden... at least for awhile.