I knew that this fateful day was coming.  I’ve been “almost 50” for several years now.  Truthfully, I have been somewhat dreading it.  I kept looking up at the top of the hill, knowing that one day I would be over it, plodding on into unfamiliar territory.  And now that day is here.

So now I’m supposed to be over this hill?  If I had to sum up my life in a word, “climbing” is as good a description as any for what I’ve been doing for the past half-century.  While I stressed over this milestone for several years, it doesn’t seem so daunting now that I’m here.  In fact, I see now that there’s plenty of climbing left to do and that there are many other peaks ahead of me.  I’m tempted to ask, “So, what’s the big deal here?”  This 50 thing is not as bad as I had always contemplated.  I feel the same as I did yesterday.  I am as active as I was yesterday, and I still have the same responsibilities.  The world hasn’t stopped just because I added another candle to the cake.

Then I pause, spin around, and look back to admire the view.

I’m surprised to see how much ground I’ve covered.  The view up here is actually quite nice.  I can see river rapids, forded years ago, that seemed insurmountable at the time.  Of course this journey had some obstacles, but now I chuckle over the amount of time that I spent worrying about them beforehand. If only things were as clear looking forward as they are looking back.

Over the road I’ve taken, I can see a lot of foolish mistakes, satisfying triumphs, and seemingly insignificant decisions that completely altered my course. Though stretches were certainly bumpy and some not so happy, it hasn’t all been an uphill battle. Along this path I helped bring two wonderful children into this world, and hopefully gave them the right tools to make their journeys easier than mine. I have shared a lot of special moments with people that I love. I’ve made friends that have become like family, and I’m thankful to have met so many who have had a positive impact on my life.

My time has largely been spent learning, every misstep an opportunity for growth. I’ve achieved a number of goals while missing out on others.  In either case, I have learned to be more patient, and I’ve become a little gentler and kinder in my approach to life’s challenges.

It seems like it was only a few steps back that I started a website based on the assumption that I wasn’t the only avid reader with shelves full of books and a love of reading to spare.  I had no idea that so many thousands would share this passion and desire to make a difference in others’ lives by passing along a book, CD, or DVD that was no longer needed. It’s indescribably rewarding to share in the joy of embracing a great book, favorite song, or inspiring film that truly touches your heart.  Needless to say, while difficult at times, it has certainly been worth the effort.

The Richard who began this trek would probably hardly recognize this Richard at 50. He’s a little rougher for wear, sounds a lot like his father, and smiles with a few more wrinkles furrowed beneath a lot less hair.  All in all though, I’m the same starry-eyed kid who embarked on this path long ago.  And I find myself still hiking uphill, only now with a little more experience and wisdom in tow.  My head may still be in the clouds, but my feet are on an incline, and I’m not heading downhill anytime soon.

Published After 50

For some, life is just beginning after their 50th birthday. Each of these books was published after the author had turned the big five-oh, and they’re all available for swapping on the site!

Robinson Crusoe Author: Daniel Defoe Published at age 59

Watership Down Author: Richard Adams Published at age 52

The Camomile Lawn Author: Mary Wesley Published at age 71

Little House in the Big Woods Author: Laura Ingalls Wilder Published at age 65

Black Beauty Author: Anna Sewell Published at age 57

The Trumpet of the Swan Author: E. B. White Published at age 70

Fountain of Age Author: Betty Friedan Published at age 72