Four Hundred Twenty, Actually...

That's if you use the standard "1 human year equals 7 dog years".   Tag was right, though. Today is my Birthday. This is what "60" looks like on me. (The photograph was taken at our guild Christmas Party last night.)   Do I wish there were fewer wrinkles or a few less pounds? Who wouldn't? (I have to admit, though, I do love the silver sparkles in my hair.) I've heard people say, "Oh, don't use that picture of me. I don't like it." I look at it differently. I may not always like the way my pictures turn out, or "Gosh! I can't believe that's what I look like from behind now!", but it's who I am - or rather - who I've become through all these years.   The way I look at it, I've earned every wrinkle (and pound) and each  and every little, silver hair on my head. They've come from the years, the laughter, and the tears. They're earned over every life-changing,  life-altering decision I've made. They've come with each love and life shared or lost. They've come with every "hello"...and "goodbye". They've been earned during unimaginable joy and unbearable grief. Can you tell I'm a little more introspective this year? I'm feeling a little different on this Birthday than the others.    My appearance is only the outward evidence of my life; the wisdom  I've gained through countless trials and errors; the person I've become  as a result of the countless experiences I've had. These visual traits are  only clues to the essence of who I have become. The person I am inside. I'm not the "hot" 30-something I used to be, but I'm a "hot" 60 now. I still giggle, and blush (Can you believe my husband can still make me blush?). I dance and sing with reckless abandon. I love my life.  I love who I have become.   But most of all, I love the people with whom I share this blessed and wonderful existence...My husband of thirty years, our family and my dear and loving friends who are so generous with their affection. Yes. Today is the start of my sixtieth year, and I can't wait to see what's next on this adventure.