Elihu turned 16 this past week, and today I turned 56. Neither of these numbers are ages I ever envisioned either one of us inhabiting. Just five years ago my son was a tender fifth grader. And in just five years my son will be a junior in college, and I will be 61. How on earth is this possible?
The changes of a decade in Elihu’s world are enormous. And frankly, as I think more critically about the transition from middle age to newbie elder, the changes are pretty big for me too. Elihu and I are both physically quite different people from the ones we were five years ago. And five years in the future? Once again, things will be visibly, unarguably different. Used to be I couldn’t envision it. Now, I can.
Although I’ve been absent from this forum for a while, regular readers are likely aware that this has been an eventful year for both of us. This years’ highlights are that I got my first steady piano single gig, and Elihu spent the fall term in Germany.
Beyond that there have been hundreds of tiny discoveries and adventures, not the least of which was my joining Elihu in Europe, meeting his wonderful exchange family in Germany (our own new family!) and then visiting friends in Paris, London and New York. Doesn’t that just look wonderful in print? It was indeed wonderful – a huge milestone for me, traveling solo again in the face of panic attacks and general anxiety (as well as the debt incurred to make the trip), but it was a much larger milestone for my son who, over the course of three months, became fluent in a second language and comfortable living in a new and unfamiliar world.
In spite of getting fairly sick during our travels, we were able to meet my godmother in Paris, visit Notre Dame together as well as meet Elihu’s half sister and her mother in London for what turned out to be the most enjoyable two days I can recall in a very long time. Elihu concurs.
He and his sister look very much alike, they are just a little over a month apart in age, and they are both whip-smart, academically strong children who greatly enjoy each other’s company. Once, as the four of us made our way down a crowded sidewalk on Oxford Circus, a man approached us and asked if I would like him to take a picture of our “beautiful family”. “He thinks we’re a ‘modern’ family“ I whispered to C, the implication being that we mothers were ourselves a couple, and the two children were our own. “He has no idea how modern!” I added cheekily, and we had a good laugh over that! Our time with the two of them was beyond anything I could have imagined. My child, my ex’s child with her mother – and me. All four of us having a ball and sharing a story not one single person in that crowded Christmas market could ever have guessed.
On this, my 56th birthday, one martini and a long day in, it’s hard for me to recall all of the major takeaways from this past year; it’s a blur of activities filled with surprises, serendipitous encounters and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Scary, real-life events and OMG good stuff too. The assorted “snack pack” of experiences life is fond of giving folks. And while I could certainly fill a blog post with any one chapter alone, I will leave it at this for now… After this past year here at the Hillhouse I can say two things with certainty: Elihu is not a child anymore, and I am no longer a middle aged woman.
Not sure exactly what I am, but I’m definitely not a forty-something anymore (yes there is a difference). At 56 I need to do a quick assessment before diving in; cleaning the gutters leaves my whole body sore for days, planting the garden can do the same, trying a new workout at the Y can slay me for a couple weeks. Yup. This is a new landscape and it will require some new skills and tricks to traverse.
And the kid – he’s practically got the next five years all figured out. Metaphorically speaking he is anxiously eyeing his wristwatch until the time arrives at which he can finally be in college, finally be free to study in earnest all the things he chooses. (Wait, am I positive that Elihu is my kid?!)
Off for a good night’s sleep so that I might awake ready and refreshed to boldly take on all that waits for my attention…
Post Script: A deeply heartfelt thanks to friends from the many chapters of our life who have sent birthday greetings. I send all of you my gratitude and love. Please know that I smile as I read each one… Elihu and I appreciate having you in our lives.
The Hillhouse 
Belated birthday greetings to you, and best wishes for your future! Yes, 56 isn’t very young, but I wouldn’t say you’re old yet. The 50s are an odd sort of age, where you can still feel young but feel old at other times. It’s like we are in a gray zone where we shift between “still young” and “not young anymore”. We can be in both of those areas in the same day and have little control over which one we happen to be in. You can get into the swing of the day, and be functionally young, but then end up in the “old” zone by the evening. As long as we all keep our minds active, we can have both a fresh young attitude plus the perspective of age. Anyway, that’s my story, and I’m sticking with it. I hope you continue to do well and be well.
you are the new Phoenix!! Lova always, g