It would seem the month of March, or at least this third week of March, is birthday week for the Peterson family.
First, our son Nate turned 40 last week Tuesday followed by Mary celebrating her birthday on Saturday, the 23rd. Then our youngest grandson, Owen, lights eight candles on his cake later this week.
As a family we have hit a few of those milestone birthdays this year.
Ellie, the youngest grandchild, celebrated her first birthday. Oldest grandchild, Carter, passed his driver’s permit test. As I mentioned earlier, Nate turned 40, which by the way has a residual effect on his mom and dad.
The list of milestone birthdays may be different for your family, but ours includes, of course, the first birthday, then maybe milestone No. 2 might be the start of the teenage years, followed by turning old enough to get your driver’s license.
Turning 18 is still a big deal, albeit confusing. You’re old enough to do a few things like fight in wars and vote for or against the people that will send you to those wars. Some states say you’re old enough to gamble while others say, “Not so fast.”
The big 21st birthday is just three years later and probably is the birthday one remembers the most — or may want to forget the most.
Turning 30 comes and goes without much fanfare, but you start watching the years go by as you zero in on 40.
I mentioned earlier that milestone birthdays may be different for you and your family, and that is true for my brothers and me.
Turning 47 and then 48 was a big deal for the three of us. Our dad died of cancer when he was 47. Surpassing that age was meaningful for us.
Turning 50 is a mediocre deal because it’s sandwiched between the two bigger birthdays — 40 and 60.
The Petersons are in uncharted territory, at least for us. I won’t mention any names, but a couple of us turn Social Security age this year.
Next comes Medicare age and the full benefit Social Security age. No. 70 is just around the corner.
Where did all those years go?