Written by Marna Kirchner
Lately, I’ve been blogging about growing older and particularly about starting to experience the specific symptoms that leave us in no doubt that we are not as young as we once had been.
But, as I thought about it and read about it and searched the internet about it, I slowly started to regain my sense of humour. Which is just as well, as my husband and daughter is just about at their wits end with ‘the bitch in the house’! (Did you read that book? See if you can find it. It’s called “The bitch in the house” and is edited by Cathi Hanauer and published by Penguin Books. It is a fabulously funny and sometimes sad collection of essays written by feisty women going through all kinds of life issues). Maybe we should start a collection called “The expat bitch in Bangkok”. Then we can moan and bitch to our hearts content, publish it and make some money. What do you think?
So, here are some thoughts said or written by other people that made me smile:
I’m reminded of my university friend Amanda who said she can’t wait to turn 50 so she can have fabulous sex, without worrying about falling pregnant. Guess she was too young to know about the ‘low libido’ thing at 50?
Victor Hugo seemed eternally optimistic when he quipped: “Forty is the old age of youth and 50 is the youth of old age”. So, being 45, I’m practically still in the womb!
An unknown author came up with a true gem: “There is always a lot to be thankful for, if you take the time to look. For example, I'm sitting here thinking how nice it is that wrinkles don't hurt”. Thank goodness for that or I’d have been in constant, never-ending pain.
The inimitable Bob Hope came up with the most accurate description when he said: “Middle age is when your age starts to show around your middle!” If this is true, I’m positively ancient!
And finally, Leroy Paige said “Age is a question of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter”. Well, all I can say is Amen to that!
So, fellow chickies, especially those of you who are feeling the midlife goonies, go get another glass of wine and let’s drink a toast on having a good sense of humour.
I remain...
Emotionally yours, Marna
Marna Kirchner is a qualitative market researcher, a woman, a wife and a mother who has recently moved to Bangkok. The city alternately inspires and infuriates her. Here she writes about the emotional impact of her experiences in Bangkok and shares them with you, because she knows she is not alone in going through these experiences. And when she walks past you on the BTS walkways or on Sukhumvit road, she wonders which emotions are going through your head. Maybe, in turn, you’ll share them with her.
Marna asserts her right to be identified as the author of this work. All copyright and/or pictures are the property of the author.