An innocuous enough number. But when paired behind another number-2, 3, 4 and so on—its meaning changes.
Not that we like to talk about the “a” word – age – in this space, but this number came up as both my sister and I are experiencing a “9” birthday this year.
In many respects a “9” birthday is more intimidating than the zero (“0”) birthday—30, 40, 50, 60 and so on.
Even if you go back far enough, turning 9 meant it was your last single-digit birthday. Nineteen was your last year as a teenager. When you turned 29, it meant that you were only a year away from the dreaded 30!
BTW, remember when we were cautioned to “not trust anyone over 30?”
When I turned 39 I was making life-changing decisions—the subject of another post. It was really a set up for my 40th year.
One of the biggest years of my life was when I turned 49 as in my 50th year I took another leap of faith.
Now I’m facing another “9” and my sister one that is ten years more. Wow. Only 12 months until the next milestone “0” birthday.
Rather than be down about it, sis and I are looking forward to the coming year. A year more of the good life. A year to see and experience new things. A year to grow and change. And one more year to spend with those we love the most.
While one decade is ending and another beginning (yeah, yeah, I know technically the zero year is the end of the previous decade, but give me some license here, ok?), it is just that: a beginning.
Enjoy your “9” year.
Relentless
*photos by the author
