About a month ago I celebrated my 40th birthday, with the customary amount of lamentation.

A reader named Fran sent me a beautiful note, typed out on flowery stationary, regarding her views about turning 40.

Thanks Fran. Your note does put some things in perspective.

NOTE FROM FRAN:

Dear Heather:

Congratulations! Imagine being 40 again?? I remember being SO mad at being SO old -- felt like kicking a can all around the block! Family laughed at me -- but I sure didn't like the feel of being "40."

Sister gave me a bright red silk nightie -- supposed to make me feel young again -- but can't say it worked

Oh my! Then came 50 -- smooth as silk -- hardly gave it a thought -- too busy working in our own nursery.

Then at 60 -- began to feel a bit proud of my age! Not a bad year at all!

Then 70 -- retired and loving every minute of it -- actually had time to paint and play my organ and garden.

Then at 80 -- alone by then, the sons kicked in and gave me a big birthday surprise party at Spinning Wheels old -- separate dining hall -- Fun!

Then -- stay with me -- just passed my 90th birthday, and this time son had it in his own home -- a large enough place -- but figured I had out-lived all my old buddies. It was standing-room only, and I had dreaded the idea but loved it!

By this time I had remarried -- an old family friend -- as interested in gardening as I always was -- fun to be with -- go with -- Best time of my life?

We laugh more -- eat out more -- go on the spur of the moment -- just what youth would like to do but can't afford?

Oh, I might like being 40 again -- only -- IF -- I could keep the knowledge these last 50 years have given me?

I take time to enjoy everything nowadays -- am planting another beautiful flower garden this year. You really should come to see it in mid May or June.

Fran