Well, apparently turning 58 didn’t magically remove life’s ability to throw curveballs. Who knew?
My first month of #58AndLivingItUp has been a rather interesting combination of gratitude, joy, chaos, problem-solving, and the occasional desire to hide under a blanket until adulthood is over.
There have been solo meals with a proper place setting for one. Not the sad kind of eating alone, but the “I’m actually quite good company” kind. I’ve discovered that a table for one can be surprisingly peaceful when you stop worrying about what everyone else thinks.
There was also another quick trip to Cape Town to spend precious time with our daughter and two of our beautiful granddaughters. Most importantly, for my husband to meet our latest little cutie addition!
As any real ouma will tell you, no amount of video calls can compete with real hugs, sticky little hands, and hearing “Ouma!” shouted with great enthusiasm.
Drawing, building puzzles, outings together and just spending physical time with each other is a privilege beyond measure.
Back home, the guesthouse seemed determined to remind me that buildings, like toddlers, require constant supervision. Utilities misbehaved, maintenance issues appeared out of nowhere, and various unexpected challenges demanded attention.
I sometimes feel as though I spend half my life solving problems I didn’t create. But, somehow everything eventually gets sorted in the end!
There were a couple of relaxed braais and glasses of wine at home. A valuable reminder that some of life’s greatest luxuries aren’t expensive at all. Good food, familiar surroundings, and nowhere important to be.
I spent time in the garden too. It’s always a “happy place” for me and it continues to teach me patience. Plants seem remarkably unconcerned about deadlines, budgets, maintenance schedules, or whether the Wi-Fi is working. Perhaps they know something the rest of us don’t…
And then came another highlight of the month: booking our trip to New Zealand to visit our son and his family! If anticipation counts as happiness, then I am already a little bit happier.
Has everything been easy? Not even close.
Has everything gone according to plan? Absolutely not.
But one month into this intentional year of living fully, I am increasingly aware that a rich life isn’t made up only of extraordinary moments. It’s found in family visits, shared meals, garden beds, travel plans, small celebrations, and overcoming whatever challenge decides to arrive before breakfast.
So here’s to Month One.
Messy. Imperfect. Busy. Expensive. Wonderful.
And despite everything, I remain deeply grateful for the privilege of simply being here to live it.
#58AndLivingItUp #GratefulHeart #LifeAfter58 #OumaLife #LivingFully #PhotoDump #FindingJoyInTheOrdinary #StillHereStillLiving