Midlife’s A Trip

A Gift for Madeleine

Posted on 27. May, 2008 by Karen in Peanut

Have you ever had someone cheer you on in life — to let let know how great you are?  If you have, you’ll remember what a great feeling it is.  Acknowledgment isn’t just about recognizing someones success doing a task or taking some action.  It’s about appreciating them for how they show up — with values, purpose and true intentions.  So when you acknowledge someone for who they really are, it’s a gift.  

The great thing about blogging is that you can write about whatever you want.  So today’s post is in honor of Madeleine who will be celebrated and acknowledged by many others today at her retirement party.  I’ve known Madeleine for over 15 years but it’s only over the last year that our friendship started to grow — here at Midlife’s A Trip.  You see Madeleine became my first reader — almost literally.  At this midlife moment I can’t recall when I told Madeleine that I had started a blog but as soon as I did she became a daily reader.  

Blogging is so different from anything I’ve ever done.  A year or so ago, I didn’t even know what a blog was.  In fact the idea of putting my thoughts out there in the blogosphere for anyone to read was almost scary.  But this was destined to be part of my midlife trip so I became a blogger in my 50s. 

Most of the friends I told about my new skill of blogging said “that’s nice”.  My techie son rolled his eyes at the idea.  But Madeleine made time everyday on her lunch hour to read whatever I wrote — even my occasional liberal political rant.  There were times when I’d think “what would Madeleine say” as I wrote a particular post.  Her readership and support were a gift of acknowledgment to me and I can honestly say I think I’m a better blogger for it.

Recently Madeleine and I had the opportunity to sit down for lunch.  We talked about her upcoming retirement and she shared her dreams for this next phase of her midlife trip.  In the past, people approaching retirement didn’t have the kind of vision for the future that Madeleine has.  There was a line in the sand — retire and you crossed over into a place where there were lower expectations of what life would offer from that point on.  Not any more.  Now baby boomers like Madeleine are looking at the next half of life as the better half.  

So on this day when Madeleine embarks on the exciting next part of her midlife trip, I want to acknowledge her support and friendship.  I truly appreciate the person she is and the way she shows up in the world – especially in my little corner of the blogosphere.  

Congratulations Madeleine on your retirement and — this blog’s for you!

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