Turning 50

I look forward to turning 50. It’s such a round, even number to me — halfway to 100, basically half my life, if I reach 100 like my grandma did. (My other grandma is working on it!) I know so much more now than I did 25 years ago. I now know quite a bit about mental health, for example, having faced bipolar for 25 years.

I’ve had this diagnosis for half my life! And it’s kind of a weird feeling because I never thought I’d be 50. I mean, I guess I knew, but there was a time when I didn’t think I’d live past 27 because of my former lifestyle.

I’m even looking forward to receiving my AARP membership card, even though you have to be 55 to qualify for the travel, restaurant, etc. discounts that come with being a member. Until a friend recently posted a receipt of his meal on Instagram, and I saw that it said “senior discount,” I didn’t even realize that was a thing! Senior discounts. Becoming a senior. That blows my mind.

I’ve made so many mistakes: doing drugs, bringing home strange men. But I’ve made some good decisions, too: returning to college, divorcing my first husband. Live and learn. I’m looking forward to the second half of my life!