We Are That Age

I have lost both of my parents, all of my grandparents and some of my aunts, uncles and cousins.  We are at the age where if we still have any of them living, most likely we are their caretakers.  This is the part of 40-something that sucks.  The rest of the 40's is very cool, or it can be.
We all know someone taking care of their elders, please reach out to them, even if it is just a mundane chat about the weather, they need the interaction.  If you are in need of some understanding and support for what you are going through, reach out, odds are someone you know has been there and done that and has the tear-stained t-shirt to prove it.  We should be here for each other more in this chapter of our lives than any other we have written.  I am here for you, I have been right where you are now, I get it.
Take time for yourself, it is a must, not a choice.  If you do not take care of you, you are no good to those you are caring for.  Call a friend go have dinner, talk about the old days or your dreams for your future or what color you want to paint your nails if you ever get to the manicurist, it doesn't matter, the interaction is what our soul craves.  We need to know there are other people out there going through similar experiences and I assure you, there are plenty of them.
As our 30th class reunion approaches this summer I think of all the connections and friendships we could rekindle and the support system we could build just by showing up with an open-heart and kind word.  We are fortunate to have a yearly class reunion so that we can keep in touch more often and just this last year I reconnected with some amazing old/new friends and we have been there for each other through some life-struggles.  Divide your sorrows and Double your joys.
Death, Divorce, Disease, Depression we are all struggling with at least one of the Big D's at this time in our lives and the more support we have the less we struggle with our own inner demons.  Phone a friend, make amends, go to the gatherings, hug a little longer, be yourself, be supportive and supported.
We are that age, what we do with it is up to us.