ON
TURNING SIXTY!!
By
Kathleen Evans-Mazur
Queen Mother
The Scarlet la-TEA-das
aka Her Majesty Queen Aura Azura
GOD SAVE THE QUEEN!!!!!
It's less than a month away now. A day I've been looking forward to, having celebrated the joy of it all year long--I'm turning 60.
This is different than when I counted the days until I turned 18--back then I had my whole life before me, so many things to look forward to, to dream about, to hope for.
Turning 60 I realize the years behind me have flown by fast, the years ahead will fly by even faster, and there's not as many left, but I still have things I look forward to, I still dream, and I have many things to hope for.
With age comes wisdom. And hopefully I'll be able to hang onto that wisdom and the memories of days gone by. The past is history, the future a mystery, the most important is right now, it's a gift, that's why they call it THE PRESENT.
Turning 60 was not supposed to happen. I never thought I'd live past 55. But I am obviously here for a reason.
I was doing fine with turning 60. Proud of it too. I've never looked better in my life. I'd found a whole new sense of being and was finally at peace with the way I look, my attitude being one of great joy and anticipation, looking forward to the rest of my life with gratitude, and ready to celebrate.
Then
just the other day something happened that made me very sad. One of
the women I work with announced to everyone that I "was having a
geriatric moment"!!!! (and no, I didn't slap her across the room,
although the thought did come to mind)
That comment ruined my day and made me feel very sad for some reason. I don't even know why I allowed it to bother me.
I'd come so far this year and have been doing so well. I've gone through yet another medial trial to help alleviate the need for liver transplants by getting an umbilical cell transplant.
I planned this year to do all the things I wanted to do, and would be able to do and just have fun.
Our
chapter held a major event, our second Cotillion in March, it was
great and I was able to dress in an outfit I'd always dreamt I'd
wear.
I got to spend time with my pride and joy--my Godchild Alex.
I traveled extensively with my husband and friends and plan to do more of that. We are celebrating out 28th year together.
I morphed into Neal Cassady and drove with my boss and a bunch of Jewish bikers to Kentucy and Tennessee to visit Whitwell Tennessee,
Read all about the trip in these three links
I visited Michigan twice and stayed at the Bay Pointe Inn, in Shelbyville, Michigan (learn more about the Inn here)
My husband and I went to New Mexico and drove all over the state. We even took a balloon ride through the desert. It was wonderful and quite a lovely experience.
My friend's son was killed in Iraq in May. That was heartbreaking. I learned about a terrible group of people who demonstrate at military and other prominent funerals and because of what I witnessed during his funeral, I became a Patriot honor guard.
I
traveled to Des Moines, Iowa, with my friend Barb. We had so much
fun. We visited Roseman Bridge, where the Bridges of Madison County
was filmed. We visited with the wonderful friends we've made in Iowa
and met some new ones.
Barb and I attended the 2006 Iowa Convention and had a great time.
We planned a cruise for next March and more than 20 of us are going. My husband and I got our first passports.
I've had a great time with my friends attending red hat events and spending quality time with the people I love the most.
I've enjoyed the pleasure of having my adopted greyhound in my life for a year now. She's a joy. I wish everyone would adopt a greyhound so they too could feel the joy having a greyhound in their life would be! She had me from hello.
I met so many wonderful people. To name just a few, pen pals--Queeniecakes from New Mexico and Jackie from Arizona; Joan Medlicott, North Carolina, the author of the Ladies of Covington series; and Lady Diane from Idaho--the woman that makes the magnificent hats you see me and others wearing throughout the site.
Our office moved into a new building. I've worked nearly 30 years in the same place, and while I'm not great with change, I've adapted well to the new space. I love my office and have made it into a red hat-style office, with purple and red everywhere. It's very festive.
Had a wonderful time at the 2006 Illinois convention with lots of friends.
I was getting ready for my November color change for upcoming events when thoughts of what that young woman at work said to me. It hurt me more than I would ever have anticipated.
Suddenly turning 60 was something that scared me now and I almost forgot how much I'd looked forward to this special day.
Now all I could think of was how old I am. That made me very sad.
How could I have allowed that remark to pass without saying something to her and why now is it bothering me so.
I talked to my husband and a few friends and let them know how I was feeling and through their intervention I began to feel better about my impending natal day.
As I thought about that hurtful remark and all the other things that have happened this year, and realized that it just takes one word from a person to make a person feel sad, to nearly ruin a year of learning and growth. Hopefully she will have a 60th birthday one day and I pray for her sake, someone young enough to be her child will not take the opportunity to make a stupid remark.
While reading my emails I found this and it expressed exactly how I feel, only far more eloquently than I could ever have expressed my feelings.
And before I sign off, I'd like to take this opportunity to say that now I'm anxiously awaiting my 65th birthday and all other significant days, for every day is a gift.
I Believe …
That our background and circumstances may have influenced who we
are, but we are responsible for who we become.
I Believe …
That no matter how good a friend is, they’re going to hurt you every
once in a while and you must forgive them for that.
I Believe …
That just because someone doesn’t love you the way you want them to,
doesn’t mean they don’t love you with all they have.
I Believe …
That true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest
distance. Same goes for true love.
I Believe …
That it’s taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.
I Believe …
That you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be
the last time you see them.
I Believe …
That you can keep going, long after you think you can’t.
I Believe …
That we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.
I Believe …
That either you control your attitude or it controls you.
I Believe …
That heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs
to be done, regardless of the consequences.
I Believe …
That money is a lousy way of keeping score.
I Believe …
That my best friend and I can do anything or nothing and have the
best time.
I Believe …
That sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you’re down
will be the ones to help you get back up.
I Believe …
That sometimes when I’m angry I have the right to be angry, but that
doesn’t give me the right to be cruel.
I Believe …
That maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you’ve
had and what you’ve learned from them and less to do with how many
birthdays you’ve celebrated.
I Believe …
That it isn’t always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes you
have to learn to forgive yourself.
I Believe …
That no matter how bad your heart is broken; the world doesn’t stop
for your grief.
I Believe …
That just because two people argue, it doesn’t mean they don’t love
each other. And just because they don’t argue, it doesn’t mean they
do.
I Believe …
That you shouldn't be so eager to find out a secret. It could change
your life forever.
I Believe …
That two people can look at the exact same thing and see something
totally different.
I Believe …
That your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who
don’t even know you.
I Believe …
That even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend
cries out to you, you will find the strength to help.
I Believe …
That credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.
I Believe …
That the people you care about most in life are taken from you much
too soon.
I Believe …
That life is more precious than money will ever be able to be.
Chapter Queens--please submit your columns to redhattersmatter@hotmail.com