THIS IS 40

This is watching the sunrise in the mountains while thinking life could not be any more beautiful than this

And then losing someone you love so very much the same day

 

This is striving to be the perfect parent

Then accepting that perfection is not obtainable and that they will always love you unconditionally

 

This is starting and failing

Forgiving yourself, and trying again

 

This is accepting that you will never have the body of the girl in the magazine

And learning to love who God made you… every single imperfection

 

This is having it all together most days

But on the days you don’t, allowing yourself to cry until you feel better

 

This is trying to be superwoman

But accepting that your cape will only become so tattered and torn that it won’t carry your flight if you keep on

 

This is almost losing someone you love

And realizing that family and friends should always be put before any deadline or other priority

 

This is having a clean house 82.5 percent of the time

And the remainder…letting that shit go

 

This is twenty pair of dirty under ware

But two clean pair left to get you through

 

This is removing the selfie filters

and loving yourself just the way you are

 

This is a scale that lies

But a pair of sweatpants that feel like magic

 

This is a heart that breaks for every sad situation, every hurting person, everyone in need

But a heart that makes her who she is

 

This is spending Friday night wrapped in a blanket watching Hallmark

And feeling the warmth from the outside in

 

This is cherishing moments

Because they just slip by too fast

 

This is loving to read

but falling asleep every time you sit down to try

 

This is worrying about EVERYTHING

And accepting that it’s in your DNA…so you pray

 

This is unable to master the correct application of eyeliner

But still wearing it everyday

 

This is being so thankful for all things

And always trying to show it

 

This is being wrong

And being okay with saying so

 

This is seeing wrinkles and acne in the mirror at the same time

And realizing that the newest trend in face cream isn’t magic

 

This is falling

And getting back up

 

This is noticing that someone needs help

And wanting to help them

 

This is appearing to those from the outside that you have it all together

But on the inside, just feel like you are falling apart

 

This is 40

A crazy and beautiful age when acceptance and realizing how truly blessed you are… imperfections and all, is the new norm.