banannie

Today I turned 44 years old.

The first 22 years of my life were mine, but I was a kid, what did I know? I muddled my way through them somehow and came out fortunate to have found a perfect match in my husband, Pat.

The second 22 years have belonged to my family. I spend a few years trying to start a family, and then the rest raising one. I made some choices that others may not have made, but I don’t regret any of them. My marriage is solid, and my boys are smart, confident, sweet kids. I’ve always said my goal as a mom is to raise sons my future daughters-in-law thank me for (like I wish I could thank my late mother-in-law.) So far I think I’m on track.

So here we go into the next 22. I’m really not sure what’s ahead of me. I’ve learned that 22 years fly by. I’ve learned that you can’t do it all, and that’s ok. I’ve learned that opportunities will come to you, but that doesn’t matter if you’re not looking for them and ready to take advantage of them. I’ve learned that my family will always come ahead of everything else, but that my happiness is a part of that.

I’ve been looking back at those first 22 years, kind of rediscovering myself in there. I haven’t changed much, really. The part of me that loves the media, the part of me that loves to read, the part of me that loves to write, the part of me that loves to teach- they were all there back then, too.

Now excuse me while I go ask my 14 year old to turn the music down… (yep, I’ve definitely aged.)

(Goofy always remembers )