A few days ago, I turned 56. BREAKING NEWS! STOP THE PRESSES! A late-middle-aged lady turns more aged!
For most people, this is not a significant milestone — just yet another boring farty number in the progressive levels of boring fartiness on the road to old age. But for me? It’s a mind-blower for multiple reasons.
First:
My father was 56 when I was born.
Were he alive today, he’d be 112. I REPEAT, 112. He was born in 1907, which, I know now thanks to the oracle of Google, predates the Model T by a year. More than half a century later, I punched and squeezed my way out of the birth canal. You are allowed to be amazed. I am dumbfounded. He had a baby! At my age now! Can I imagine doing that? No. No, I cannot. I REPEAT, NO.
And yet when I look at this charcoal drawing of Daddy in his mid-to-late 50s, I see a man radiating zesty charisma. I see so much, too, that mirrors my own face: The gray hair. The dark eyes. THE EYEBROWS. I’d like to think I resemble him when I laugh.
He lived to 85, dying before the birth of my three children and all the loving wonders that they brought. He missed all of that, and I’m now twice the age I was when I buried him. I’ve lived as long on this earth in his absence as I did before he left me.
Mind. Blown.
Second:
My husband wasn’t quite 56 when he died.
Which means I’ve now hit an age that Chris never reached. Again I am dumbfounded. It reminds me of the day I turned 32, overtaking my big sister Lucy four years after her death. How is this supposed to work? I wondered then. How am I supposed to live and grow old without her up ahead, showing me how it’s done?
I am now the older sister. I am now the older spouse.
When Chris died, I wondered again how I would do it. How I would forge ahead in grief and hope. What it would mean to stumble through the thickets without him. Were he alive today, he’d be 63. I look at his image and see the the old sparkle in his eyes, the humor, the kindness, the smarts, and I imagine how he might have aged. The gray hair a little whiter, for sure. A few more wrinkles on that handsome mug. But what else would be there? What else would I see and take for granted? What new eccentricity or experience would be etched in that smile, in those eyes?
Third:
This Thursday marks the anniversary of his suicide.
Eight years.
Eight years filled with laughter and anguish and joy, with new friends and new life and new love and new music and new adventures and the everyday, ongoing, God-almighty miracle of watching my children thrive and turn into adults. Eight years of remembering Chris. Eight years of wondering why he died and what might have been had he lived instead. Eight years of accepting, in blessed moments of clarity and surrender, that I can’t and won’t know, ever. That knowing is impossible.
Eight years of saying: I loved him. I love him still. I always will. I grieved his death. I grieve him still. I always will.
Eight years of living in spite of it. Eight years of knowing he’d want me to. Eight years of sensing that love begets love, that life begets life, that getting older is always a gift, and that those who know this best are the mourners and the mourned.
So here I am, a little older. Wiser, maybe. Creakier in the knees. Living and loving as best I can with dear kids, dear friends, dear family, a dear man to hold, an interesting job, a fiddle in my hand and a heart that still pumps blood.
Chris died at 55. I’m 56, a milepost he never reached. I have to believe he’s celebrating.
Figuring. Shit. Out. 
Happy birthday and welcome to the club that we do want others to join. (I’m six months older than you.)
The survivors club lead me to you because of the suicide of my only child, just after her 14th birthday. She first talked of killing herself at age 10. Unfortunately, life does get complicated, and her literal cries for help were ignored by those with power.
Hearing the voices of her generation calling to save the life of the planet reminds me of my brave, bonnie, girl. We’re all in this together. Might as well embrace the absurd and enjoy the ride!
Oh, I am so very sorry. Bless you and take care, and thank you for reaching out.
Thank you for your response Amy. I do enjoy your unabashed honesty and humor in figuring shit out. Although each suicide is unique and complex as the individual, I do believe that silence kills. By bringing suicide out of the shadows, your blog may save lives. I hope my daughter’s story helps people believe a child’s words, or at least ask questions, no matter how incomprehensible the facts.
❤️❤️
Thanks so much Amy. Your positive message resonates and inspires.
I too turned 56 this year. Strange, isnt it? But like they say, better than the alternative. I’m glad we’re on this crazy ride!
As am I!
My Dearest Amy, happy birthday. I loved your fso piece about turning 56. I love how you are able to give thanks for the blessings you have. I especially love the picture of Chris. He is a beautiful man. I have been at the lake most of the summer. Would love it if you came for a visit. It is pretty peaceful here. If you have some time and feel like taking a ride give me a shout.
Thank you so much, Joann, and bless you. Would be great to connect sometime soon! ❤
I too turned 56 this year. But inside, feel about 35. 🙂 thanks for sharing.
Yeah, I still feel like a kid! And probably always will.
Happy birthday, Amy! Those anniversaries are hard. Thinking of you, especially on Thursday.
Thank you, Meg. I know you know about anniversaries (and life, and all that it brings). Bless you.
Well Amy girl, I turned 62! So you are catching up to me! You have grown a lot in the last eight years, and held the flashlight of truth for many people who have also suffered through a loved one’s suicide. Thank God for you, and Lucy and Chris and your Dad. They all helped to form you. Happy start of your 57th year!
Lauren, thank you so very much! Your words move me deeply. Bless you. ❤️
Loved your talk on Fritz Kreisler. Want to read the book now. I too used to go to School 19 Library (Veronica and Susan and Ginny being the librarians) with my son Ben Miller: we bought the return desk at the closing auction. Hope to see you again.
Happy natal day: 8 times 7 or 14 times 4, or 2 times 28.
Blessings to you as you remember Chris, who I really liked the few times I met him.
You’re a amazing woman and your Dad and Chris are smiling down upon you.I enjoy reading this page and your TU reports.
Thank you so much, Angela. ❤
Thank you, Roger. And bless you.
Anniversaries are tough but you are tougher.
Team Lasky made over 4,000. This year for the AFSP. Over 17,000 in four years and you helped. Thank you for your wonderful, kind heart.
Oh, Joann, thank YOU for all that you’ve done — and for *your* wonderful and kind heart!
Well said
What a beautiful post, written with love and with hope for the future. I am 56 this year and can’t reconcile the face in the mirror with the me inside but this helps me realise that so many don’t when make it this far