life and puppies

And you didn’t think that was possible! I showed you!

Because my birthday falls in January, I often reflect on the last year of my life at the same time I reflect on the last year of my life. If you know what I mean. If you don’t, well, it doesn’t really matter. What has this 40th year brought me (I guess it’s really the 41st, but don’t make me punch you)? Well, a lot. A grand mal seizure, posterior vitreous detachment in my left eye, strep throat (times 2), a feisty three-year-old, a super fun trip to Tulum, some cool house projects, laughter, tears, work stress, life stress, and a whole lot of gratitude. I’m trying to tell myself to slow down and breathe more and not be in such a hurry. But it’s hard. I really kinda loathe this cliche, but I’m trying to take care of myself more because I’ve finally realized that no one else is going to. I can keep getting resentful and angry when people pressure and guilt me into doing things I don’t want to do, or I can just smile and say, “No thanks” and let that be the end of it. Other people seem to have no problem saying no to me all the time. I worry about being flaky or ending up with no friends, but I think if I do it in the way that everyone else I love seems to do it, it’ll be ok. I’m going to practice this one A LOT.

But I’m also saying yes to a few things. For example, I joined a new tennis team. An over-40 team where I was sure that when I showed up everyone would look right through me, asking where the new player was. Uh, nope. “Kate? You’re on Court One.” Harumph. Same with the mammogram I had yesterday. “Oh surely you can’t be old enough for this!” is not something anyone seemed to think of saying to me. I also rejoined my old gym and I’m already really happy I did so.

So, 2016. I’m happy you’re here.