Welcome to Volume 23 of Clutter Tales, a series where we tell the stories of our lives through our clutter. Today’s post was inspired by something I got on my 50th birthday, so it’s a more recent memory than previous tales. Finding it made me reflect on being “fab at 50” now that I’m getting closer to being “super at 60”.
Fab at 50? Why not!
While decluttering my bedroom closet, I found this “Fab at 50” button that was given to me on my 50th birthday eight years ago. This find brought back some great memories of my 50th birthday. It also made me reflect on how our society views aging.
Out to pasture at 58?
The recent news about how CTV unceremoniously dumped national news anchor Lisa LaFlamme after 32 years with the company has put an ugly spotlight on the ageism and sexism that exists in our society. Men d’un certain age, as the French so eloquently say, are celebrated and respected. Talented women like Lisa, on the other hand, are put out to pasture at age 58. It’s wrong!
This news story hit home for a few reasons. Lisa grew up right here in Kitchener, and she celebrated her 58th birthday just 12 days after me. In addition, she stopped dying her hair during the pandemic and her hair is now a stunning silver colour. Much has been said about a CTV executive asking “who approved the decision to let her hair go grey”—a ridiculous conversation but an excellent example of how our world views older women.
Instead of celebrating the wisdom that comes with age, the business world—and society in general—continues to make older people feel irrelevant or, even worse, invisible.
Grey haired ladies unite! It’s time to change that!
How do I feel about aging?
During a recent trip to my favourite bulk food store, the cashier gave me the seniors’ discount. Was I offended? Not at all!
If you’re a regular reader, you’ll know I’m not one to obsess about age, or appearance. Thanks to my cancer experience, I know more than most that aging is a privilege denied to many. Instead of lamenting the fact that we’re no longer 25, we need to be thankful for each passing year.
As I reflected in How old do I feel, I refuse to be defined by what society thinks a 58-year-old should be doing. I will chart my own path!
How did I celebrate becoming “fab at 50”?
Any way you look at it, turning 50 is a big milestone.
Some people go a little overboard with birthday celebrations—renting halls and throwing lavish parties. When I turned 50 in 2014, I didn’t want any of that. It had nothing to do with wanting to hide the fact that I was hitting that milestone birthday. I just prefer a low-key birthday celebration over a big fuss.
To avoid the pressure to hold any kind of big birthday bash, I decided to plan a family trip to England, the land of my birth. My daughters, who were 14 and 11 at the time, had never visited England. It was a trip we always planned to make with them when they were old enough to enjoy it. The summer of 2014 felt like the right time to do it.
My daughters and I flew from Toronto to Manchester on a Friday evening, arriving in England on Saturday morning—the day before my 50th birthday. Although I didn’t want a big fuss, my sister and brother-in-law weren’t about to let my big day go unnoticed, so they booked a Sunday birthday lunch at one of their favourite Italian restaurants, Vespa.
My daughters and I had a lovely lunch with my sister and brother-in-law, and my nephew and his partner. (My husband was back in Canada…he joined us for the rest of our trip a few days after my birthday.)
It was the wonderful, low-key celebration that I wanted. And I did wear the Fab at 50 button. It was attached to a gigantic birthday card, which apparently is a thing in England.
Looking forward to being “super at 60”
As my 60th birthday approaches in a couple of years, I look forward to taking the additional wisdom and life experience I’ve gained in my 50s into a new decade.
Super at 60 sounds like a great slogan to me.
As for a celebration, I think it may be time to plan another trip…
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Farewell to Clutter Tales … for now
I hope you enjoyed this installment of the Clutter Tales series. I’ve reached the end of my list of treasures so, until I stumble across something else worthy of a Clutter Tale, this is the last post in the series for now.
I’ve enjoyed reliving old memories and bringing this series to you. In addition, I extend a huge thank you to the 10 wonderful guest bloggers who shared their stories and memories.
If you’d like to write a guest post for Clutter Tales, please get in touch. I’d love to give you the opportunity to properly thank your clutter by sharing its story too!
How do you celebrate milestone birthdays? Tell us your stories below.
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Age is such a big deal in our youth-obsessed society. It’s a shame. And because men, for the most part, make decisions about who will and won’t be on tv, it’s likely to continue. Thanks for bringing this to light! 🌞
It is so frustrating. Since I wrote this post, the executive who made this decision has been put on leave pending an investigation. It will be interesting to see what happens next.
Interesting indeed!🌞
I don’t know why someone’s age matters, it’s only a number. We all know people who have died too young.
Therefore, each birthday is a gift.
Here’s to my 50th in a couple of years…..
Well said Rachel. People worry about aging. I feel like the opportunity to grow old is a privilege we shouldn’t take for granted!
Thank you Michelle. I really liked this post. 🙂
You’re welcome. It was very timely for your 50th birthday.
Loved this one! I let my hair go grey as well and I like it. I don’t feel…..50 something…LOL. As for Lisa LaFlamme, I was devistated to hear about her being ousted. The aftermath and finding out why really pissed me off! She was fantastic! I only watched that news cast because of her!
It actually is very freeing to not have to worry about hair dye…not to mention the cost. Yes, I don’t think CTV expected the reaction they got for letting her go.
I had my biggest and best surprise party when I turned 50 which was arranged and coordinated by my husband (a first) and my bestie, Michelle 😊
Nothing has topped it since, and now that I’m approaching 62, I think most believe that future birthdays are just not worth all the fuss, which is a shame. Like you said, every year we’re alive on this planet is a gift. Instead there’s an attitude of “it’s just another day” although my immediate family always does something to celebrate my birthday 🥳
Oh that sounds great. My husband hates parties so he would never plan one. 😂. We do always celebrate our birthdays though—usually by going out to dinner.
I was shocked that my husband did that because he usually feels the same, but he had a lot of help! And the cool thing was we were living in Southeast Texas in our home is in central Texas so he had to plan and coordinate all this with my best friend who is still living here in central Texas. I was totally surprised 😲
That’s great that he did that.
Love, love, love this, Michelle! Thank you so much for this enlightening post! Ageism is a ‘thing,’ especially for women.
I hope the knit-wit executive at CTV that said such a ridiculous thing about Lisa’s beautiful hair gets fired.
Thank you for being YOU, Michelle! Cher xoxoox
Thanks Cher. Well the story continues. The CTV executive has been put on leave pending an investigation. After Lisa’s departure hit the news, many other female employees made statements about similar treatment. It’s just wrong!
Oh, I hadn’t heard about that! I hope this will ‘fire’ people up to change not only their baseless, ridiculous ageism thoughts but their behaviors as well. You are right, Michelle. It’s just wrong!
When I volunteered at a blind/low vision center, I can tell you that no one cared about silver hair, gray hair, no hair, etc. I think that speaks volumes. 🙂
That definitely speaks volumes. It’s sad that people can’t look beyond appearances, and that extends to other forms of discrimination, too.
I agree, Michelle!