It’s been a somewhat uninspiring couple of weeks in the doughmamma kitchen. Comparable to writer’s block, I’ve been feeling quite stuck. My reason for feeling rather “blah,” I will be turning 40-years-young in less than a week. I remember when my mom turned 40 and how hilarious I thought all the “over the hill” gag-gifts were. We bought her “old fart” vitamins, “over the hill” balloons and a walking cane. Well, sorry mom, turning 40 is not so funny after all.
I remember first becoming a mother and questioning what my new position should look like. Should I still play the Beasty Boys in carpool, or should I be more responsible and play children’s music. Similarly now I question, what does it mean to be 40? Will I be buying my New Year’s Eve dress at Chico’s? Should I start buying Werther’s and clutch my pearls in dismay? Can I still watch the Housewives’ franchise or should I really buckle down and watch CNN nightly? What does it mean to be 40?
Initially, I focused on vanity. No stranger to Botox and the occasional filler, I took a good look in the mirror and assessed the damage. Truthfully, not so bad, but I decided this birthday I wasn’t going to inject foreign substances into my face, this year I was going to focus on aging gracefully. Neither of my moms have altered their face, not even so much as a touch of Botox and they are both beautiful, so I decided, anything I do, will have to be as natural as possible. So far, I’ve done a Cosmelan peel, which was a nice way of getting rid of my pregnancy mask from the last kiddo and I even ventured to try the vampire facial, which I have to admit, is now going to be my go-to age-prevention treatment. I’m not saying ten years from now I won’t change my mind and get a nip and tuck, but for now, my focus in my forties will be loving me as I am and employing the most “natural” skin care (or least invasive) techniques available.
It’s funny how time catches up with you. Just three years ago, 40 seemed so out of reach. It doesn’t help that my husband is five years younger than me and I will always be older, the first to cross the finish line at every decade’s turn. In fact I told him, “if you ever have an affair, just promise me it is with someone your age or older or I will be crushed.” I know, I’m so deep aren’t I?
Despite the vanity of it all, truthfully, I am grateful for living this long. I always thought I would die young, when I was a kid, I never thought I would live longer than 27. Sadly, I have had friends who have had their lives cut short due to tragedy or illness. When I look at my kids, all I know is, I want to live as long as possible to see them grow and to protect them. I know this life is a gift and I intent to make the most of it, wrinkles and all.
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