Invidious

CHEERS to 50 YEARS! Thank you ALL for making my birthday, birth WEEK, and birth MONTH a warm Golden Girls welcome. As I relax into the second half, I can’t help but reflect on what these five decades have taught me:

FIRST Decade: I will forever just be that quirky African born, American raised silly girl. Family is always where it will begin and end with me. Life will take us all through ups and downs and I am so grateful for the head start I was given. I also pray the same innocent childhood for all your children and their children.

SECOND Decade: I will always be that busybody (on the inside) who talks too much, moves too fast, laughs too loud, and smiles too big. With less summers ahead of me than behind, I feel myself slowing down and I don’t want to fight it anymore. Mr. President has insisted I take my seat. So yes, there are so many adventures I hope to explore, but it will be a modest pace that prioritizes peace

THIRD Decade: I have lived, loved, lost, and live to love again. The greatest day happened to me three times. I loved to be a wife and was blessed to create a family. Wherever this second half takes me, I will always be Marcus’ and Alex’s mom. From every sport, to emergency room visits, parent teacher conference, and teenage mood swings, I am mostly proud of the young men Dave & I raised together. They deserve the best of me.

FOURTH Decade: As the challenges of life set in, I quickly realized what was important, and what wasn’t. I began to re-prioritize the people and projects to bring true fulfillment and real lasting relationships. The world also changed around all of us overnight, my parents got older, and the squeeze of life set in. This is when I remembered who I was, my upbringing and what I’m here for so that I wouldn’t give up or give in to a lie.

FIFTH Decade: In this last trip around the sun, I’ve come back to my first love, who encouraged me to pay it forward to young ladies like me. I will try to live an example that my children’s children will see one day and be proud of. I love to share recipes, even though I’m stuck fighting my own 25-35 pound battle. I love to support your relationships as I wait to become Mr. President’s First Lady when the boys are all up and out. I will continue to share this work, travel, and milestones…maybe…as it unfolds.

For now I leave you with blessings and a legacy of love. Whether I’m a glamour girl, or just that girl next door, I will still be Maggie. A little bit more gray, a little more lines, forever fluffy, still smiling. I am happier than I’ve ever been and truly grateful for my good health that has brought me this far. I will take care of my loved ones and take better care of myself along the way. Until then, I can’t wait for the next 50, God willing.