Saturday, October 17, 2009

The Party Rages


I am currently sitting in my niece's bedroom. All partied out. It's only 9:30 p.m!

The party rages on. It's my little brother's 50th birthday, a costume party, and everyone will continue for some time, and a few until the wee hours.

Being the oldest of four, I used to be the one that went until the wee hours. They straggled along behind. Now I'm the one done after, say four or five hours. When did this change? When did I throw in the party towel?

I guess it's part of growing up, while growing older, realizing a little is better than too much.

Better than growing older, without growing up, me thinks.

Now I'm like my Gram once was, I'm the cook, the one who cleans up, laughing and having a good time, but not needing to overdo, content with being in the background keeping things clean and moving.

One of our friends died last week. He was our age. His wife came home and found him. A lifetime of playing and working hard. At everything.

I feel content to let the party rage on without me tonight.

27 comments:

Natalie said...

I'm with you, and I am only 44. :D

Lydia said...

You know I'm with you!
Um...are you going to explain those costumes for us? (Very happy party smiles there.)

Ruth said...

Nancy, I've been going to bed at 9 for some time now. I'm 53. I look at the clock wistfully at 7:30. No, I can't go to bed at 7:30.

Aging is wonderful in some ways, like the learning that has happened along the way. But starting to lose friends, that is very tough. I'm sorry for the loss you must feel.

Bonnie Zieman, M.Ed. said...

Nancy: Not needing to be in the midst of everything . . . is a sort of coming home . . . within.
Condolences with regard to your friend. It is such a shock and also sobering - and hard to party after such news.

Alexandra MacVean said...

Happy Birthday to him!! And party on! Speaking of parties...there's still one going on over at my manor.... :)

Happy Sunday to you.

DJan said...

I have never been able to stay up late. I am asleep by 9:00 and when I wistfully look at the clock and it's 7:30, I go "stretch out" on the bed with a good book and usually last until 9:00. I now have a couple of shows I enjoy that keep me up until 11:00 some nights. The party looks like it was fun, and you will get up and feel fine the next day, not like some others that will remain unnamed. :-)

GYPSYWOMAN said...

i'm so sorry to hear of your friend - it's very difficult especially i think when that someone is near our own age - my thoughts with him, his family - and you!

and i like what bonnie said about not needing to be in the midst of everything being a sort of coming home - in terms of partying - although, depending upon the group, i'm not totally "home" yet :)

happy birthday cheers however to the birthday boy - oh, and just to make you feel all better, my oldest child will be 50 next september! :) i know!!! truly amazing since i'm only 37! go figure!

love the homemade bread, lady! used to make it every day - nothing quite like a dinner of fresh hot homemade whole wheat bread with tons of land of lakes creamy butter [has to be LOL brand] with fresh fruit and cheeses - and, of course, wine! yummmmmm!!!

Joanne said...

I think in some ways you take more from the party, from the night, in the way you are. Absorbing, listening, participating in subtle ways. I'm so the same way.

Mike said...

I am 44 and threw in the party towel already! Don't feel bad!

Sylvia said...

Great party. Congratulations.

Paula said...

Sorry have been sick and not around lately. Happy belated Birthday to your little brother ;-)) and yepp, I am with you too. I start seing my pillow very early...

Marguerite said...

So sorry about your friend, Nancy. I've lost quite a few, already, too.
Since I'm a night person, I rarely go to sleep before 1:00 am! And as with anything that is harmful for our bodies, I agree, a little is better than too much. Happy Birthday to your brother!

Lynn said...

Party towel? Where do you get one of those? I've always found that observing and participating in a quieter way to be much more rewarding in the end. And these days, I'm done and liable to fall asleep during a conversation if I'm up past 10 pm. :oP

Lori ann said...

That dear friend is just one of the many blessings of growing older.I agree with Joanne also.
I'm sorry to hear about your friend though, I hope his wife will be okay.

Deboshree said...

Hey Nancy!
Everyone takes the back seat someday but what I like about you is that you have enjoyed every moment of that journey and still do! That's what's required!

Love
Deboshree

Anonymous said...

I agree and I'm 42. I am happy to have A single party to go to once a year, and have that party be oh, maybe 2 hours long, LOL

alaine@éclectique said...

Sorry about your friend. We had another funeral to go to last week.

We retired at 9pm last night but up at 5am, a magical, peaceful time of the day.

We used to love a party too but these days just want to get away from the noise!

susan said...

It's cool to have the memories of long nights to savor later in life when it's more fun to wake early feeling well rather than having to recover.

Brian Miller said...

sorry to hear about your friends...live while you have the opportunity...love like there is no tomorrow...

Anonymous said...

Sorry about your friend, and at such a young age. I'm a wee bit older, and that is why I have decided it is time to do something different, to find a new adventure, while I am still young enough to enjoy it. One never knows when this is the last day. Live each one like it is.

Trish and Rob MacGregor said...

Sorry to her about your friend, Nancy. Mortality nips at everyone's heels. But you have the right attitude, for sure.

Hilary said...

I'm sorry for the loss of your friend. That's always shocking news.

Part of what makes partying so great as we age is that we can look forward to relaxing away from the crowd.

TheChicGeek said...

Oh, Nancy, I'm so sorry to hear about your friend...it is hard. I will be thinking good thoughts and sending them your way.

Happy Birthday to your brother too!!!! It looks like a rockin good party...LOL

And of course, you are a love to be there letting everyone have a wonderful time by your helping out!

Big Hugs to You, Nancy! I'm glad to be back from vacation and visiting your lovely blog again!

Have a Happy Sunday!

Anonymous said...

My condolences for the loss of your friend. As for the party: one day, one morning I'll wake up and remember your words. But for now: party on (with in between a well deserved resting period every now and then).

Meeko Fabulous said...

I am SO sorry to hear about your friend.

The Good Cook said...

I'm so sorry to hear of your friend. I will be sending peaceful thoughts to his wife.
Funny, I just got back from my semiannual women's weekend.
Every year it gets a little quieter, we get a little more sleep, drink and eat just a little less.
But we still laugh, cook, tell stories and sometimes cry a little - we are just older, wiser and maybe a bit more tired as the years pass. I like the way it is right now.

Anonymous said...

I wish my mother would learn the same lesson. I can't keep up with and I'm not even 20.

I'm sorry about your friend..