50 is the new 40, is the new 30, is the new 20. What does that say about 20?

September has always been a full birthday month in my life, including my own. January must be a good month for getting cozy with someone special (combination of Xmas gift afterglow and New Year's Eve, I suspect). I have an abundance of friends who celebrate the spirit of Virgo with me every year.

As a fellow celebrant and I were discussing the approach of a new year on this planet, we bantered about the notion that "40 is the new 30" - happy 40th, Shereen! This has been a popular topic of cultural debate for many years, and as I creep closer to 50, I must say that I am curious to see how accurate the concept may be.

When my parents were my age (47), all 4 of their children were over the age of 20. That worked well for us as a family - during our childhood, Mom and Dad were the cool parents on the block (though hardly the only young parents back in the 60's and 70's). Everyone wanted to be at our house, and all of my friends wished they had such young parents. Of course, I didn't see what they were seeing, and thought that they surely were smoking something funny (will save that for another day).

Now, I look at my own life. My children are 2 and 3 (ok, 2 years, 4 months and 3 years, 6 months). In other words, when they are in their early 20's, I will be 64. Yes, 64. In high school I had a friend who's mother was older, in her 60's. She had white hair and wore old lady clothes, and I felt sorry for Jen because everyone thought it was her grandmother. I was so glad my parents were young.

So now I wonder, will people think I'm Charlie and Belle's grandmother? I know that answer, because it has already started to happen. Initially, I was quick to correct people (usually Walmart greeters, for some reason). But then I decided it was easier to just smile and nod and keep walking. One time, I didn't even have the kids with me - I was buying a toddler mattress and the woman at the checkout counter commented on buying a bed for my grandchild. I didn't smile and nod. I paid and left. I If it's happening at 47, what will it be like at 60?

Perhaps by that time, 60 will be the new 40? Maybe, maybe not. Either way, I'll just smile and nod.

Happy Birthday Virgo!