Birthdays and the Best Spring Salad

If I had to vote on a favorite line from a movie, I’d have to go with this one from “It’s Complicated.” Meryl Streep sets it up by coyly querying her romantic interest with this question, “I'm not too old for you?”

To which Steve Martin responds with liquid gold, “Age is one of my favorite things about you.”

With my recent birthday, which falls perennially close to Easter, I decided to recite that to myself each morning when putting on my makeup. Kind of like prompting a game face for every day of the rest of my life.

“Carole, age is one of my favorite things about you,” I announce to my bathroom mirror. 

I can’t help but giggle.

It cracks me up every time I say it. My laugh lines etch deeper and my crows’ feet scrunch up a bit more. I’m okay with that.

Why shouldn’t age be our favorite thing? After all, the Proverbs refer to a “gray head as a crown of glory.” Solomon, the writer of that sage snippet…himself considered among the wisest of kings…emphasizes the value and honor associated with old age, particularly when lived with righteousness.

It’s a privilege to live a long life. All of us know dear ones who didn’t share that privilege.

I want to see these golden years as a delicious gift, somewhat earned by making particular choices, but heavily dictated by our DNA - the factors contributing to a long life expressed in our unique genetic code.

I choose to be grateful with each passing year, and yes, with each new strand of silver in my crown. Especially with Easter, I appreciate the new life that reliably springs from the old. 

How lovely to embrace a fresh start yet again. No matter your age.

P.S. Speaking of delicious gifts, I’m sharing my favorite Spring Salad recipe for your Easter Brunch table.