Thirty is not too old…

I’m turning THIRTY in eleven days.  I know that for some of you, several years have passed since that milestone.  For a few of you, you’re just barely on either side of it and can relate.  For others still, I’ve officially become old.

I’m not freaking out or anything.  I mean, it’s only November 4th, but November is not shocking me yet.  Years ago, I had read somewhere that on average, women were most content at 30, and I can certainly see the merit in that.  Gosh, you couldn’t pay be to be in, say, high school again, and college and my early twenties were filled with so much uncertainty…

But did you know if you google anything about being thirty, you find this phenomenon where you’re supposed to have written and completed some lofty list of “30 Things Before 30”?  Yeah, I didn’t either – and I’m feeling like I’m a tad too late to start that one.  This got me thinking – and perusing said lists, wondering what I was missing.

I could look at so many of the things – traveling the world, working at a dream job, being in Times Square for New Years Eve, getting a tattoo, leading a healthy lifestyle, finishing a marathon – and think, gosh I definitely should have done those things.  I could add dozens more, some which I’m probably still up for and others of which my chance has likely passed.

Then I look at other things on the list (and add a few of my own), and it takes little to no time at all to move on –

fall in love

buy a house

start a family tradition

visit another country

watch your kids discover something new

forgive someone, even if it doesn’t lead to reconciliation

ride a motorcycle

figure out how to grow up but not grow old 

You know?  I think the first 29 years, 51 weeks and 5 days have been pretty amazing.

I chuckled once some time ago when I read a blog entry that reminded readers that thirty isn’t too old by quoting Luke 3:23, in which Jesus began his ministry at age 30.  I suppose it’s time for me to begin my “30 AFTER 30” list.  And maybe finally get a tattoo.