In 5 days, I will turn 51. January 19th is my birthdate. This is not a shoutout for all kinds of attention, rather it’s to bring about an awareness of the significance of being 51.
This birthday is coming at me from a different angle. The thought of getting older and age doesn’t bother me, rather it’s something much deeper than that.
On March 23, 1999, my father died from pancreatic cancer at the age of 65. He was just 13 days shy of his 66th birthday on April 5th. The age difference between him and my mom was 15 years. My mother celebrated her 51st birthday on March 16, 1999, one week before my father died. She became a widow at a young age.
Sometimes it’s hard to wrap my mind around it, knowing I am about to turn the same age as she was back then. God had to have given her a lot of courage and strength to do what needed to be done and go forward living the life He called her to do.
As I reflect on what being 51 will mean, my heart softens, I become more compassionate and have an even greater appreciation for the life she has lived. I didn’t know or understand the weight of everything she was carrying back then (it’s probably because she carried it well and nobody really knew). I am proud of my mother for being the person she had to be, for doing the things she needed to do, to become the person she is today. Like her, I too am healing, working through my life struggles, those who have caused pain, old wounds and doing the hard work (the deep heart and soul work), learning to let go, moving forward, living a happier, joy filled, abundant life.
The age of 51 brings so many more reasons to celebrate. I will be a 1/2 centenarian plus 1. How fun is that! Whatever God provides I know it’s for my greater good. As for my mother, that was a chapter in her life, a piece of her story that I was a part of.
Now that the connection has been made about age 51, I’ve given this age some attention, space, and grace. I am ready to move forward knowing the significance and be a better person in my coming days. Cheers to a new year as I transition into becoming my authentic self!
Magnificent Meraki 