Yes, I'm 40!

For my 40th birthday last Feb. 25, my daughter Ella told me she was so happy that the day finally arrived because I had been preparing for it for two years! Haha, she’s right about that!  It was when I realized that being 40 was just around the corner that I became more aware of how to preserve my youth, make the most of life, and conquer new things.

Ella’s been diligently reminding me to keep off the wrinkles on my face via a secret hand signal whenever I start to get angry, make unnecessary facial expressions that form laugh lines, etc.  My son Donny found it so funny that he composed this poem, which he gave me on my birthday.  He wanted to affirm his love for me as I try so hard to prevent and get rid of the wrinkles on my face.

The Wrinkles On Your Face

There’s so many words to describe you

There’s so many more than 4,002

Words like beautiful

Words like kind

There are so many I can find

There’s too many on my mind.

I can name you in many ways

but I love … the wrinkles on your face.

You’re so loving

You’re worth hugging.

I love every time with you

All the days.

If we were together,

I won’t leave that place,

The wrinkles on your face...

Isn’t he just a darling to write something like that for his mother?  He also serenaded me with a Spanish song he sang with his dad while he played the guitar as my daughter Hannah gave me a special foot spa treatment. My parents threw a small party for me in their home.  Even in my 40s, I’m still their baby! How cool is that? Even if I’m one who would rather be invisible on my birthday because of all the attention I get, I really love birthdays and how they pave the way for people to feel so precious for that day.  Thanks to all who gave me so well thought-out gifts and who took time to greet me via text and hey, even on Facebook!  The secret’s out, yes I’m 40 and loving it! Okay, Benj, I’m looking forward to many more birthdays to come!

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E-mail author at mommymaricel@gmail.com.