birthdays

I turn 48 tomorrow, and, tired of my kids' expectations of birthdays, I'm celebrating this one by going to the convent in Augusta for a silent retreat. I don't yet mind getting older, and when I turned 40 I realized that I couldn't complain because I have very much more in my life than I ever thought possible. But I don't want to be celebrated; it only stokes up the negative messages that come up so easily in my head.