I was going to write an entire saga about turning 50. But, at 50 years of age, I don't have the energy. Or the wit. Or even the memory of what I ate for dinner last night, so having a 50 year old try to recall what occurred a couple of weeks ago is not going to happen. Instead, I'll leave it to photos as proof. Or, who knows, maybe the memories and the writing will just start flowing. After all, I did take my "50+" vitamin this morning.
Here is a photo of the gown I apparently wore to the office that morning. I changed into regular clothes after awhile, mostly because I was cold. Plus, while I have to admit there are times when I enjoy shocking people, an office building is not the place to wear an evening gown. But, dang-it, I try to wear this gown whenever I can because I like to dress up - even though it's a rare occasion (or there is rarely an occasion to put it on) - mostly because we are not jet setters. So that means we don't get featured in big spreads in the newspaper when there is some sort of ball and people who think they are important go to rub elbows with other people who think they are important and then they all think they're important and then, those of us looking at the photos in the newspaper think they must be important, and it's a huge ego boost. That's not my life.
But I did get a big surprise. Druck announced he was taking me to Chicago for the weekend to do whatever I wanted. And that included, if I wanted, getting my own room while he slept somewhere else, like, say, on another floor. I decided I'd like to share a room with him but thanked him for the option and, as the time to depart got closer, I told him I'd rather go to Grand Rapids. This was because Grand Rapids is 2 1/2 hours away and Chicago is 5. Since we weren't leaving until Friday night and we had to return on Sunday, I wanted to shorten the time in the car as much as possible.
We stayed at my favorite Grand Rapids hotel, The Amway Grand Hotel, which is one of the most beautiful old hotels I have ever been in. It reminds me of a lovely hotel we stayed at in Nice, France a few years ago but, I must admit, I like this one better. We ate divinely at the 1913 Room where they set something strange in front of me and I stared at the waiter, dumbfounded. I don't even remember what he called it. But it comes prior to your soup and salad (which also has some sort of name to it, but again, I am not one of those who normally goes to the ball so I don't know the lingo). Druck knows this stuff. He dines elegantly with scientists from all over the world on a regular basis. He knows what intermezzo is during a meal, for example. So he explained to me what everything meant. Snort. And, while Druck and I dressed up in all of our finery and I even brought my evening gown (which I have had for about 13 years but have only worn 4 times), I decided not to wear it and instead decided to just wear a simple black dress with black beads, matching earrings and bracelet. Druck looked dapper in his suit. Neither one of us take good photos and Druck has been way overworked and incredibly stressed. And he left his hair gel at home by mistake. Gasp. But believe me when I tell you that the man is gorgeous. Has the body of a 30 year old, a brilliant mind, incredible wit and humor - and dimples to die for. Did I tell you how he left his hair gel at home? DOUBLE GASP.
The great thing about being married to someone for almost 29 years is that you are so comfortable with each other that if a belch sneaks out unexpectedly, it's not like you have to worry that he's never going to call you again. He doesn't even look up from his plate as you surprisedly hold the cloth napkin to your lips and glance around the room to see if anyone else noticed. Thankfully, the chamber music must have been loud enough or perhaps the other patrons thought there was some calamity, like the dropping of a huge pan, in the kitchen, that it seemed ok.
We spent a lovely day Sunday soaking up beautiful weather and touring the Meijer Gardens. This place is incredible. We had been there once before but it has something like 180 acres of grounds that are lavishly overflowing with incredible botanicals of every kind. I wanted to go again to see more. One of these days, I'll post photos from that. Maybe. Or I'll just move on to something else.
My sister-in-law was right when she told me that there's something about turning 50. You realize that most of us have lived half of their lives and you realize how important it is to live the second half (or quarter or two-thirds) more wisely. I want more time with my grandson. I want quality time with my husband. I want some things that are just not tangible. And I aim to get it.
When I stood up and faced 50 head on, I realized that I have been with Druck longer than I have been without him. It's not always been easy. But he is the man I love. He knows me. I know him. And he accepts me like no one else. Because, hell people, I can finally admit that, at age 50, if this guy has stuck around all these years, he is a Saint. Mostly because I am different than probably anyone he's ever known. And perhaps that's why he's stayed with me. He'll take the weird-ass crap from me just so he can experience the incredible things I bring to him every single day. Because sometimes the things I bring to the table are worth a laugh or two and break up the monotony of everyday living. Like the day I called him at work, all unnerved because I had been thinking about estate planning. "Dear?" "Yes," he sighed. "I was just thinking about the fact that we still have a mortgage on this house and what if something happens to both of us and our kids don't know what to do and they don't care and, well, you know, they probably wouldn't know or wouldn't care about the fact that if they didn't pay the mortgage, the house would be foreclosed on and the taxes have to be paid, you know, and I just think they'll lose the whole house. What are we going to do about that?"
After a short sigh, a little pause and some agitated breathing, he said, "Who gives a shit. We'll be dead. We won't care. They're on their own." "Oh, ok. Right. Thanks." I loosened my white-knuckled grip on the phone and he went on. "Now you go run along and call me back when you think of something else to worry about."
Click.
Copyright 2009 liamsgrandma
