Turning 50

I was born in '49 and turned 50 in the year 1999. It was the same year my oldest sister passed away. It was one year after my dear mother departed this world. It was the year our grandson turned five and started school. It was the year leading rapidly toward that dreaded Y2K. It was the year of controlled fear, preparation, and trepidation. Would computers in offices malfunction and cause mass confusion? Would none upgraded computers cause air planes to fall from the sky? Being neither computer literate nor the techie type, I simply did not know. I did not know what to do as my 50 year old mind was tossed to and fro. At 50, though employed, I was not engaged in my chosen career. Yes, I turned 50 in 1999, and was anticipating retirement by age 60. All of my life, I had longed for 'tomorrow' and launched forward. Turning 50 came with a sign post saying, "slow this fast train down". It's not that I wanted to 'exit' the train; but I needed to 'board' a slower one. Yes, it appeared turning 50 created a desire within me to start looking back. No, I didn't want to go back in time; but I wanted to see some things I'd missed. Things like beautiful roses I'd never noticed, and those golden trees in October. I could not run like I was 25; but I was grateful to be free from aches and pains. I still had plenty of hair, but I started to see gray. 04072017 cj PS Contest, On Turning 50, Cecelia Hopkins-Drewer