As I enter my 40th year, I find myself sitting at the kitchen table for most of the morning, working on my seven-year-old son’s model Porsche—a striking red Boxster, at least according to the image on the box. With school out for the day, my children ask, “Mom, are you going to be using the kitchen?”
“Well, no,” I reply, a bit hesitantly.
It turns out today is designated as Car Day, and the kitchen is the chosen workshop. My son has decided he cannot wait for the weekend when his dad can assist him in assembling the new model. Before I can react, he has spread all the parts across the table. My own plans for the day? They’ll have to be put on hold.
As I meticulously follow the assembly instructions, my son cheers me on. However, he soon abandons me to join his sister in a game that involves an array of toy cars, scattered all over the kitchen floor. It’s remarkable how their playtime echoes the games they enjoyed when they were three and five years old. Apparently, that phase isn’t quite over, despite their ages.
Truth be told, putting together model cars is not my strong suit. The tiny pieces, the confusing instructions with illustrations that don’t match the parts I’ve organized, and the subpar screws—all these challenges are overwhelming.
“Oh no!” I exclaim as a rebellious screw ricochets off the table and disappears onto the floor. The kids sigh in disappointment: “Moooom!” I remind them that I wasn’t the one who initiated the Porsche project; this is usually Dad’s territory. We frantically search the floor, brushing away dust bunnies and cracker crumbs until we finally find the elusive screw.
Yet, this is my life at 40, and honestly, I wouldn’t change it for anything. The little voices pleading for me to step away from the computer—“You love the computer more than us!”—so I can witness their latest skit or admire a house they’ve created from shoeboxes for their pipe-cleaner people, resonate deeply with me.
I used to envision myself as a sophisticated woman at 40, probably too busy to engage in assembling model cars. I had imagined I would be articulate, organized, well-dressed, and leading a life filled with daily accomplishments rather than reacting to strawberry jam stains on my daughter’s favorite white shirt that must be perfect for school tomorrow. By this age, shouldn’t I be focused on matters of significance?
“Mom! We have eighty-eight cars. With the Porsche, that makes eighty-nine!” my daughter announces triumphantly. How can one family accumulate so many cars?
Clearly, I had misconceptions about how age transforms a person’s life. The sight of eighty-nine cars in the kitchen illustrates this well. While I hit this milestone birthday, I realize that much of what I experience is sweetly familiar. It’s a relief to find that the passage of time allows for gradual change rather than the drastic shifts I once feared. I’m comfortable in my jeans, suited for engaging in weighty matters—my children and, yes, the model car. A sense of achievement? Absolutely. My little companions are satisfied, even if I couldn’t quite attach the headlights.
Embracing the Chaos and Joys of Life
In conclusion, as I navigate my 40s, I embrace the reality of my life, along with its chaos and joys. For those exploring family-building options, resources like the CDC offer valuable information, and for those interested in home insemination, you can find insightful content at Make a Mom. Also, check out Intracervical Insemination for more authoritative insights on fertility options.