Turning....

60!

Yes, that's what is special about today. It is my 60th birthday and my life will be changing for the better. I never thought I would be excited about turning 60 but because of some unfortunate circumstances, I am excited. Most of my regular readers know that my children lost their Father to cancer last summer. As with any family, this has been hard on my kids.

One of my customers told me that I might be able to collect widow benefits from Social Security. I thought she was crazy since I have been divorced for over 35 years. After some checking, I found out she was right! As long as we were married for 10 years and I had not remarried, I could collect benefits when I turned 60.

As an older hairdresser with a shrinking clientele, I had been forced into taking a second job 5 years ago. My shop has been very good to me over the years, having supported my children and making it possible for me to buy our home but my customers are getting older right along with me. I cut back to 4 days a week and started working in a grocery store 4 or 5 nights a week. Because of the change in my financial status and having paid off my house last year, I will no longer need to work so much at the store. I could actually quit but they supply great insurance benefits. I will now be working 1 or 2 nights a week at the store.

We had to struggle when my kids were home because I received no support. This circumstance although difficult at times, also had it's good points. We had everything we needed and learned to enjoy the free things in life like family, friends and nature. Even tho this benefit has nothing to do with back support, I feel like I'm getting my due. I also believe I need the money more now. Since being transferred because of our store closing, I have worked longer shifts on register which is hard on me because of my fibromyalgia.

The best benefits are more time in the garden and more time with my darling granddaughters! All I can say is....
60 is going to be good!

Edit: You need to go over to my daughter's blog and check out the limerick my OLDER brother wrote for me. It's amazing!