Getting Older. Getting Better. Same thing.

Last night, a friend celebrated turning forty with a wake to mourn her lost youth. We, guests, were asked to bring a eulogy or short poem to bid farewell to the charismatic and carefree girl we once knew. Instead of saying "goodbye," I decided to offer a little advise on how to say "hello" to better days ahead. I can attest that, done right, getting older and getting better can happen simultaneously.


So, this was my offering to her:


​As a woman who saw forty nearly eight long years ago,
I've learned a thing or two I think that you should know.

This is the truth about passing youth.

You CAN teach an old broad new tricks.
So, try everything and regret nothing. 

Don't wait until you're eighty-eight,
Revert back to childhood now. 
Embrace your inner ninja fairy princess.
Believe her when she says you can still be anything you want to be when you grow up...
if you choose to grow up.
Listen when she tells you that "because it'll be fun" is reason enough...
Always. 

Know that happiness has nothing to do with luck.
It has everything to do with not giving a fuck
About the opinions of anyone who doesn't either
Pay your bills, give you thrills, or supply you with the pills that will keep you spry.
Happiness is a choice. Just make it. 

Lastly, if you want to leave a stunning corpse,
​Start immediately by embalming yourself with bourbon.