Table Topics #1 - What do you think is the ideal age?

Talk about your touchy subjects - I'll be turning 40 this year!  Would I prefer to be younger, though?  Not unless I could take my knowledge and experiences with me.  Would I rather be older?  That's a big "hell, no!"  Not yet, anyways.  I like to think that whatever age a person is at the present time can be their ideal age, as long as they are happy and healthy.

I love my parents dearly, but if I had the chance to be a kid again, would I take it?  NO way!  (I'm sure my parents are thankful for that too!)  Being a kid stinks. Okay, so you come out of childhood with a lot of great memories of wild and crazy things you did with your siblings and your friends, but other than that, you were constantly being told what to do, remember?

Had someone asked me when I was six, ten, or even sixteen if I'd want to skip ahead to be thirty, I don't think I would have jumped on that either.  Thirty is OLD.  Well, it is if you're a kid.  My twenties were fun, but would I want to go back there?  Nope.  I have been married for almost eighteen years now, and that suits me just fine.  Young and married with two little kids is no longer where I want to be, even though it was great back then.

The addition of a candle each year on my birthday cake hasn't bothered me yet.  And that's all that matters - being ok with it.  Because even if we wanted to be young again, we couldn't be.  We may as well embrace who we are today, and be thankful for our past experiences.  Today, my ideal age is 39.  In a few months, I'll adjust that number with a smile.  After all, 40 isn't old - if you're a tree.