Age gets better with wine

 

           Age gets better with wine J I saw that on a sign in a shop during a recent trip to Napa California.  I completely agree!  Getting older makes you care less about what others think, it causes you to focus on real priorities, and it helps you to understand what really matters most. 

I had the chance to visit Napa with a wonderful friend of mine (from Junior High) who lives and works in Napa.  I had so much fun looking at the stunningly beautiful scenery and trying so many amazing wines.  The whole experience was fantastic.  I learned so much about wines and really enjoyed the time with my friend.  I feel so grateful to have opportunities like this in my life.   When I was younger I was always in a hurry and stressed out.  I was busy raising kids, saving money for the future and generally staying so busy that I never slowed down long enough to just enjoy myself.  I never allowed myself to just go and spend some time with a good friend.  I kept putting off things, thinking about sometime ‘in the future’ when I could slow down and do all those things I had been planning.  There were so many things I put off doing, because I was too busy.

One of the main problems with rushing through life is that sometimes life has other plans.  For me, those other plans included becoming a widow and single parent at 43 years old.  It was unbelievably hard to deal with such an inconceivable change in my life, but it did challenge me to look at my priorities.  I now know that the people in your life – the people who you love and care about, they are the only things that really matter.  Work will still be there, but there are no guarantees that your loved ones will be there.  It is important to take time to treasure the relationships in your life.  It is important to slow down and really enjoy yourself. 

When I was younger, I worried about ‘doing the right thing’.  I worked so hard at gaining approval as a good mom, a good employee, and a good whatever.  As I have gotten older I know that it doesn’t matter what other people think or what someone might say about me.  I don’t need anyone’s approval. Age brings a level of confidence and wisdom, so that I no longer care what someone else thinks about me or says about me.  There is a freedom that comes with age, freedom to simply be yourself, unapologetically.  Having a glass of wine with a good friend is much more important than rushing around trying to please other people. 

Age really does get better with wine – especially great wine from Napa.