Michelle Smiles

Teaching my children to question authority, except mine.

The other side of the hill looms

May7

See that face? I’m going to be 40 in 4 months. I’m not quite sure how that happened. I distinctly remember my mother turning 40 – I can’t quite wrap my brain around it being my turn. I’ve been thinking about working myself up into quite a funk about it but then remembered my 30th birthday. I was all prepared to be dramatic and depressed about turning 30. But it turned out my 30th birthday was the first anniversary of 9/11. How could I be depressed at turning 30 when so many didn’t get that opportunity because of those acts of terrorism? (Stupid terrorists. They ruin everything.) So instead, I went to work as usual. It was the day of the week that I co-facilitated a partial hospitalization group for middle school kids with several behavioral issues. In an attempt to help them build empathy, we all planted a bush to commemorate the day. Then they all “surprised” me with a cake and called me grandma for the rest of the day. Later, my girlfriend took me to our favorite bar and made me drink out of a punch bowl with a straw. All in all – not a bad day.

As 40 looms, I started thinking about how I would like to celebrate this milestone. I’ve told my husband he should take me to Vegas or whisk me away to a beach somewhere – either venue would allow me to drink enough to pretend I’m still 22 like I am in my head. Odds are, neither of those will happen. We have other budgetary priorities this year. I’ve decided that much like my 30th, my 40th birthday might be easier to accept if I focus on something other than myself. In the next 4 months, I will commit 40 random acts of kindness. I will do my best to document them and share them here.

posted under Misc.
24 Comments to

“The other side of the hill looms”

  1. On May 7th, 2012 at 10:44 am Maris Says:

    I’m turning 30 in a few weeks. This is freaking me out for more than superficial reasons but they are too long/personal to type. Everyone wants me to have a party. I just want to go to the beach with my husband (weather permitting) & to a seafood restaurant. I look so forward to reading about your 40 random acts. πŸ™‚

  2. On May 7th, 2012 at 11:47 am Shannon Says:

    What an awesome idea! I do a lot of volunteering and things with my kids and it really is a great feeling.

  3. On May 7th, 2012 at 1:14 pm nora Says:

    I love this idea. I’m so looking forward to reading about your adventures!! Thanks!

  4. On May 7th, 2012 at 1:35 pm Brigid Says:

    I had so much fun when we were doing our random acts of kindness. Some turned out to be a ton of work and others easy-peasy.

    I turn 41 in July. I just found a book (that I bought last June) called 40 things to do when you are 40. Guess I better get cracking… I’ll share any that are fun. πŸ™‚

  5. On May 7th, 2012 at 2:03 pm Melany Says:

    I love that you’re exactly 2 weeks older than me. πŸ˜‰ And -I like your idea – a lot. That sure is a lot of random niceness…I’m kind of thinking that will be enough for the both of us, right? ha.

  6. On May 7th, 2012 at 8:15 pm jane Says:

    Great idea! Can’t wait to hear what you do. My Mother used to say, “Having another birthday sure beats the alternative! Now get out there and enjoy it.” I’ll try to remember that when I hit 50 in 5 months.

  7. On May 8th, 2012 at 7:38 am Julie P Says:

    Its 39 for me this year but I feel your pain. I LOVE your idea of 40 random acts of kindness. I am so looking forward to hearing about them. Good Luck.

  8. On May 8th, 2012 at 1:15 pm Laurie Mitchell Says:

    ohhh…I like the random act of kindness thing! My birthday is 1 week later on the 18th but I will be 42 (I spent my big 4-0 at the OU vs OSU football game!)…maybe I will join in on this adventure! 40’s have been fun for me so far…and as my Mom always says, “I don’t care how old I am as long as someone brings me a present!” πŸ™‚

  9. On May 9th, 2012 at 3:43 pm Melissa Says:

    I might steal the 40 random acts of kindness thing, as my milestone is 6 months away. ya look great

  10. On May 10th, 2012 at 11:55 am Sonia in MO Says:

    Love your random acts of kindness idea – can’t wait to hear the results! And PS – you don’t look a day over 25 in that pic…fabulous!

  11. On September 10th, 2012 at 7:39 pm Michelle Smiles » Blog Archive » Guess it beats the alternative Says:

    […] back in May, I said I was going to do 40 random acts of kindness before my 40th birthday? I said I would document them and share. I started to do that (the […]

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