Hi Moms! So my mom is turning 60 in a few weeks. She is not looking forward to this birthday at all. She feels like she is getting so old etc. I have told her that age is just a number etc, etc, but she is still not happy about being 60. She is totally active, in wonderful shape, is very involved in her grandkids lives and has been happily married for over 30 years. She is at a great point in her life! If only I could get her to understand that! I know it is easy for me to say these things because I am not 60 but still, I am looking for ways to get her inspired about this birthday. Does anyone have any suggestions for inspirational books on life, about journeys, appreciating life etc? I appreciate your suggestions! Thanks!
Thank you all for the advice. I'm headed to the bookstore with a great list in hand! I know my mom will be fine, she's just a bit depressed. Hopefully she'll see how much we all love her and are looking forward to the next 30 years with her!
I would recommend Wise Women
http://www.amazon.com/Wise-Women-Celebration-Insights-Cou...
for its beautiful photographs and inspiring quotes from women who celebrate their age and life experience.
Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert.
Have you thought about getting her a really nice Bible? I'm not trying to be preachy. I started reading the Bible from the beginning (I'm in Psalms now) and it is the most inspirational book I've ever read.
Good luck with the gift. I hope she has a beautiful birthday!
Hello! If your mother is Christian, I think she would love anything by Joyce Meyer. She has been such an inspiration to me, and I tell anyone looking for help in this area about her. I can't say enough good things about her!! I hope this helps!
I have an Aunt who turned Sixty and for her 60th I got a journal and put inspirational quotes in it. Many of the pages were still blank, so everyone at her party also included some.
Example: Learn to Dance in the Rain.
Life is what you make it, so make it an icecream sundae
Life is about the moments that take your breath away.
Hi, K.! It's so funny that you posted this at this time. Just yesterday, I was remembering with my mother how her two older sisters came for her 60th birthday and they decorated with black balloons and "over the hill" themed materials. She put on a good face for them, but on the phone with me, she was crying because she was so old, and her life was nearing the end. And I didn't know what to say, either. (I said the same things you already have.) She had a very difficult time with 60.
But, she laughed about it yesterday, and said she didn't know WHAT came over her, but she remembers feeling very old that day.
Then we discussed what she wants to do for her birthday this year (it's on Sunday, May 30th) and she doesn't want a big party, so we decided we would just go out to dinner to celebrate with her family around her. Then we'll go back to my sister's house for cake and ice cream, and my mom can blow out her candles -- all 80 of them!
I think the most inspirational thing she can do is to talk to other people who've already been there, and recognize how much life (God willing) is left. You just be there to listen as she works through it.
Oh, and my mom remembered how she received 60 birthday cards on her birthday that year. I was living in Seattle and had bought the cards and handed them out to friends, neighbors and co-workers, asking them to send my mom a birthday wish, even though they didn't know each other. Everyone had fun doing it, and many of them wrote notes in the card - thoughtful, inspirational, or funny. And my mom was pleased to receive so many wishes from strangers across the country.
Tell your mom that J. in Wadsworth said HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! Celebrate this wonderful life!
Blessings, J.
The author of A Year By The Sea wrote a book about her being 60 and evaluating her life that is a very good positive read. It's something about Life's Journey. If you Google the first book it will give you the 2nd one. Her name is Joan Andreson(I think)
If she is Christian, Helen Steiner Rice has tons of poetry, many inspirational. Here is a sample from todays date on her flip calendar which I have on my desk at work:
"God's love endureth forever-What a wonderful thing to know. When the tides of life run against you, And your spirit is downcast and low." ~Helen Steiner Rice
For great is His steadfast love toward us; and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord! Psalms 117:2
Today, let God's steadfast love assist you in improving your outlook on life.
I agree with " Eat, Pray, Love". You might look into "Captivating", it is by a husband and wife (their names have escaped me). I just started reading it; it is about the woman's soul. Good Luck!
Here's a book that might be good. Simple Abundance. It's a bit corny sometimes, maybe but also inspiring... each day has a short little meditation.
http://www.google.com/products/catalog?client=safari&...
"Simple Abundance" is good. Also Anne Morrow Lindbergh's "Gift From the Sea", though neither are specifically related to aging. Also I have just started reading the new one by Regina Brett, "God Never Blinks". It seems good too. Gail Sheehy's "Passages" was very interesting to me as a 30-something; I am sure I would have new insights if I read it again, and your mom would have different ones from mine.
Paul Tillich's "The Courage to Be" is heavy going but good.
We have sent the 40/50/60 cards too, it is kind of fun (for most people--some just get aggravated, but we figure it is a reminder to celebrate!)
60 is still YOUNG!! (writes the 53.5 year old--lol)
Good luck, if I think of something else I will try to remember to post it
K. Z.
