On turning 60
Apr. 14th, 2007 09:49 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
deborahjrossSunday's my official birthday, but today worked better for celebrations. So, of course, it's raining.
When I turned 50, I really wanted someone to throw me a party. Half a century seemed like a true milestone. But I was in crisis and so was the family, so it passed with hardly a blink. I gave myself a party/kitchen-warming when I turned 55, and it was small but lovely. Now, 60 is feeling like a major life transition. So I asked for what I wanted -- a gathering of F/friends and a formal ceremony to mark the passage. Dave spun into action (he did ask for a guest list and a few preferences), set up an online chat group so people could scheme and plot, has done a heroic job cleaning up the garden. So, of course, it's raining. Did I mention that?
I am going to become a crone. Could be odd for a Jew with Quakerly leadings, but feels right. If the rain stops, we'll dance through the labyrinth of our hedges and Do Stuff. Exactly what Stuff, I don't know. I am relishing the not-knowing. I have been asked to find 2 items that represent the "maiden" and "mother" phases of my life -- a little statuette of a lying-down horse that I made in 6th grade and that my mother cherished; a sculpted plastic baby spoon that I used to feed my children and kept because I loved the feel of it. I will wear a black embroidered Bedouin dress that I bought in Bethlehem in 1979 and that hasn't fit quite right until now. To me, it symbolizes the universality of women, Jewish, Muslin, and Christian and all women, in one beautiful garment.
It's unusual for me to not be running around, cleaning, tidying, organizing. I have complete faith that all is well and all will be well. If nothing else, I have complete faith in the ability of the Quakers who are included to transcend any mere inconvenience such as rain. So, of course, it's raining.
When I turned 50, I really wanted someone to throw me a party. Half a century seemed like a true milestone. But I was in crisis and so was the family, so it passed with hardly a blink. I gave myself a party/kitchen-warming when I turned 55, and it was small but lovely. Now, 60 is feeling like a major life transition. So I asked for what I wanted -- a gathering of F/friends and a formal ceremony to mark the passage. Dave spun into action (he did ask for a guest list and a few preferences), set up an online chat group so people could scheme and plot, has done a heroic job cleaning up the garden. So, of course, it's raining. Did I mention that?
I am going to become a crone. Could be odd for a Jew with Quakerly leadings, but feels right. If the rain stops, we'll dance through the labyrinth of our hedges and Do Stuff. Exactly what Stuff, I don't know. I am relishing the not-knowing. I have been asked to find 2 items that represent the "maiden" and "mother" phases of my life -- a little statuette of a lying-down horse that I made in 6th grade and that my mother cherished; a sculpted plastic baby spoon that I used to feed my children and kept because I loved the feel of it. I will wear a black embroidered Bedouin dress that I bought in Bethlehem in 1979 and that hasn't fit quite right until now. To me, it symbolizes the universality of women, Jewish, Muslin, and Christian and all women, in one beautiful garment.
It's unusual for me to not be running around, cleaning, tidying, organizing. I have complete faith that all is well and all will be well. If nothing else, I have complete faith in the ability of the Quakers who are included to transcend any mere inconvenience such as rain. So, of course, it's raining.
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no subject
Date: 2007-04-14 06:17 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-04-14 06:35 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-04-14 09:28 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-04-14 10:11 pm (UTC)I like the idea of Crone Celebration. Let it be so!
no subject
Date: 2007-04-15 08:20 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-04-19 01:53 am (UTC)