Turning A Corner

When I was younger, the little things made me happy. Perhaps one of my happiest summer memories is when my older sister dated the ice cream truck man. Not only was his white truck that was littered with stickers of various frozen delights parked in front of our cottage, making me the envy of the neighborhood, but I was also able to tag along on his drive to beaches across Cape Cod, doling out bomb pops, creamsicles, and Bazooka gum. Life couldn’t have been better (not to mention the tub of blow pops I scored and kept on my dresser).

That was when I was about 9.

I just turned (gulp) 51. Now what makes me happy? It’s definitely not the ice cream truck, but maybe the bigger things, like my family, health, and success.

That’s so boring.

Have I become boring?

I don’t think so. In fact, I am maybe more fun now!

This is why: I have turned a corner and stopped giving as many f*cks. I know I am enough, and I would rather not go to a White Party with celebs in the Hamptons. I don’t need a million friends, but rather the company of a few close ones. I prefer walks outside instead of hours on the elliptical in the gym. I don’t care about clothes, shopping, cars, or what someone else has.

Coveting things in not in my nature. I have enough.

I’m not saying I’m a wise old woman, cuz’, listen, I have my moments. And many of them, still.

But, I think there’s a whole lot of noise between the age of 9 and 50. And, once you turn that corner, the little things make you happy again.