60 Years of Life Lessons

One day, while just going through life, I woke up and I was 60 years old. How on earth did this happen? In the weeks and months that followed, I began to ponder what those years had taught me. I sure have learned a lot of lessons! Some of them I learned the hard way because I didn’t listen to those who knew better. Some of them were learned by sheer life experience. The best lessons were taught to me by my daddy who is the wisest and kindest man I’ve ever known.

60 years taught me (in no particular order):

1. Jesus loves me.
2. Bullies are everywhere and at every age.
3. Music is healing.
4. Changing schools is hard and scary.
5. Moving away from friends hurts.
6. Holding grudges only holds you prisoner in a toxic jail.
7. Seas the day! See what I did there? 😉
8. Forgiveness is imperative.
9. Being forgiven is humbling.
10. Prayer works.
11. Sea glass is my birthstone.
12. It isn’t difficult to be kind.
13. I prefer to be barefoot all the time.
14. NEVER say never!
15. My daddy is my hero.
16. Infertility is gut wrenching.
17. Adoption is an amazing blessing. Wait….is my son really adopted? I forget.
18. Teaching fills my heart with joy.
19. The grass isn’t always greener on the other side. In fact, it rarely is.
20. Marriage is hard.
21. Divorce is harder.
22. There are days that I just don’t want to adult!
23. Watching my best friend grieve her son’s death was life changing.
24. I never want to be without a dog.
25. I have three amazing children.
26. Blending a family is tough but so worth it. Step Kids? Nah. Just my kids. No step.
27. I wish I could rock my babies one more time.
28. Faith is hugely important in my life.
29. Losing our golden retriever was like losing a family member.
30. Losing my grandma still hurts me today.
31. I’m scared of being old. Oh wait… I AM old!
32. Photography is a passion of mine. Different perspectives change how you see things.
33. I don’t like to exercise, but it makes me feel better.
34. It’s not what you say, but how you say it.
35. Having a tribe of support and love is very important. Find your tribe!
36. Being a GiGi is AMAZING! I can’t believe that I was scared of becoming a grandparent!
37. Learning never stops.
38. Hearing and listening are very different.
39. Having twins was truly a lot of fun! Wait…I meant that “raising” them was fun.
40. Being a Christian doesn’t mean being perfect.
41. I don’t like for people to yell. There’s simply no need.
42. No one gets through life without help.
43. Politics shouldn’t ruin friendships.
44. I still love running through the sprinkler.
45. Don’t sweat the small stuff. It’s all small stuff.
46. Health is a gift. Don’t take it for granted.
47. My students teach me as much as I teach them.
48. Don’t assume to know what others are going through.
49. I miss singing gospel songs with my mom.
50. Watching my children hurt makes my pain physical.
51. Don’t rush your life. Cherish the moments.
52. No one is promised tomorrow. Live life like that.
53. Parents really do know best. I hope my kids read this. LOL
54. Don’t put off your dreams.
55. Laugh every day. It matters.
56. Don’t judge others. It’s not your job.
57. Make sure you like what you do. Money isn’t everything.
58. Let kids be kids. Do you wish you could be a kid again? let them have their childhood!
59. Forget your age.
60. God is good…..ALL the time!