Can I Have Your Number?

Age is merely a number - it's the mileage that'll do you in.

Ouch. That ranks up there with what my dad told me before I joined the 82nd Airborne: no one ever died jumping out of a perfectly good plane - it's that sudden stop at the bottom that'll get you every time.

Now, I intend to use some terms for one of the two genders which may not sit too well... with English ladies of the 19th century - so, in the immortal and sage words of wisdom from Drill Sergeant Bryant (1991, Fort Monmouth, NJ), "I am an equal opportunity offender - that way I can't play favorites."

More to the point - off the rabbit trail...

So, what is it about guys and gals celebrating birthdays in "middle age" - children, note - I didn't say the "Middle Ages" - that instinctively drives either gender to keep (or not to keep) them in two totally different ways? Hmm.

Take the women, for instance. (No, seriously, don't take all the women - well, okay, maybe take one or two I work with, but that's all.)...

For being approximately a third of the way through my life (according to Genesis 6:3) I've seen the women-folk take birthdays, in stride, one of three ways:

1) 39 and Holding - these are the chicks that don't look in mirrors as the ominous day approaches; who start dressing like they're still younger than they are - with the stereotypical age-appropriate behaviors that are bound to follow; and, men, forget reminding your "sweetie" of what she's doing - uh-uh, big "no-no" - 'cause she'll remind you of everything YOU'VE ever done and it will pale in comparison, my friend, and you will be crying (on the inside, of course).

2) The (cough-cough) Anniversary of My 18th Birthday - now guys, if your babe tells you not to put another candle on the cake... and you DO anyways, because... hey, you're a man, it's what you do... then, "man up" to the cold, lonely couch later on that night; oh, and although she won't divulge her true age to her friends and acquaintances - don't take that as an invitation for YOU to do so - if you're smart, you won't (unless you have a death-wish)!

3) Grace, Grace, God's Grace -  I heard one elderly lady state something along the lines of "...one more birthday is another step closer to Glory." Admirable to have your eternal outlook tempered in that way. I've actually met a few female mid-lifers quite comfortable in their age/stage of life - even with all the aches and pains associated with this fallen world. These are the gals you wanna be around when YOU think you got it bad - if not for the outright humor, for the encouragement it provides. "Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life." (Pro.16.31.esv) 

Now, with that being shared and said about the fairer sex - it's not to say that us men deal with it any better - we just do so "differently". So have at, ladies... after all, we got your number. MMLIA