How many opportunities am I going to get to recreate myself? Two years ago, I would have said none. A year ago, I would have said one. Now, I say as many as it takes to get it right. Because that's what life should be about - continuously trying - creating and recreating - striving to get it right. I've accepted the fact that I'm considered middle-aged now. Some days, it's hard to hide. With middle-age comes assessment and reassessment. And, with those assessments come adjustments and readjustments. Moments of "this is all it will ever be" and moments of "this can't be all there is". I will not give in to the stereotypical mid-life crisis. This moment in the middle of my life is not a crisis but a chrysalis. And, I will emerge better and more beautiful than I was going into it.
"Mama, why are you dieting? Are you trying to look like a normal person?" My then 12-year-old son is not one to sugar coat his words. He asked me this last year when I took him and his older brother out to lunch during spring break. And, although the question bordered on rude, it was actually quite accurate because, despite all of my hopes to feel better about the way I looked, the bottom line was I wanted to look normal. I wanted to walk into a room and not be ashamed of the way I looked. Can I say that I feel 100% normal now? No, because I don't actually know what normal feels like and because, well, I'm me and normal might not be achievable. But, do I feel better now? Yes, 100%! Am I where I want to be? No. But, am I in a better place than I used to be? Yes, definitely! And, knowing that I can improve if I just put my mind to it is my new normal and I love it.