With age

With age comes:

Freedom to laugh at myself

The ability to enjoy dancing at WinterJam with my husband on one side of me and my youngest teen scrambling to get away from me in abject horror

Enjoyment in friendship, in keeping up with the friends that make my heart sing, in recognizing the value of true friends

Wisdom to recognize the users and not give them that permission
To own who I am, where I am and how I am, not taking ownership or responsibility for anyone else

That I don't own anyone the "right" to make me feel inferior...and they won't

Appreciation in recognizing where I was, where I am now and the ability to appreciate the road traveled between the two

Beauty of Stillness, not to be confused with laziness or slothing around.

Knowing that drama doesn't have to be mine, that I can't fix the worlds' problems

I can say no...and stand by it. No explanations needed, no is enough.

IF...I can help another soul on thier lifepath, I will. If I can't, I won't feel like I've let the world down

I don't have to overextend myself, I can gradually cut out all of the extra and focus on what truly matters to me

Believe in myself and who I am now...Tonya, Child of God, Wife, Mom of 3 bios & 3 in my heart, Daughter to awesome parentals,  Advocate, Damn good Moma, Domestic Goddess, Taxi Service all-in-one inclusive service, Friend, Partner in crime, Dreamer, Hippy Chick, Open-minded, Full of laughter,  Reader of books and people, Music guru and maker of the best lasagna soup on D'Vallee Casa

As shadows lengthen in my life's journey, I know that I'm exactly where I am supposed to be.

And I'm truly happy.