Day 13 -- Helping out at the high school Writing Center

"Do not regret growing older. It is a privilege denied to many."
---Unknown

Today I was sent a New York Times article written by Maureen Dowd about how women are becoming less happy and more gloomy as they age, while men are becoming happier. I don't doubt the finding, as so many women seem to regret and bemoan the aging process.

I on the other hand (and fortunately many of my friends) am trying to embrace it. I think it's easier for me to do so since my father died suddenly at age 34. Ever since I turned that age and each year since I've felt lucky to be able to surpass the age at which he passed away, as though there might be some family curse that could lead me to the same destiny as him.

But I also believe that each year, with the wisdom that age brings I've been able to get a bit wiser, a bit mellower about sweating the small stuff, and hopefully a bit kinder and more patient (I'm a New Yorker, so that last characteristic doesn't come easily)!

And while volunteering won't enable me to better afford anti-aging products, I do believe it adds happiness to my life, which is something the New York Times article reminds me is nothing to sneeze at for a woman in her 40s.