My brother, John, is turning 40 this weekend. I’ve enjoyed teasing him about it, but, of course, I will always be older.
Turning 40 didn’t really bother me – not as much as I expected and not as much as turning 30 did. But, for some reason, John turning 40 is really affecting me.
Even though he’s one of my favorite people, part of me still sees him as the 9 year old bratty brother that I couldn’t stand. The one that I was always trying to get away from and the one made me wish I was an only child.
And then I stop and think, “wow. John is 40. Where did the last 30 years go?”
John doesn’t really mind growing older and neither do I. I’ve found that I can’t stay up all night and still function the way that I used to but otherwise I’m more confident and am a happier person than when I was younger. And it helps that John and I are both relatively healthy.
And, you know, confidence and self-awareness aren’t the only highlights of getting older. The following photos should should show why ;-)
John – about 20 years ago. Nice hair. ;-)
John – 10 years ago. Trying to coach soccer to children who would rather play in the dirt. Apparently with that beard these were the Mt. Man years.
John – last summer.
We might be getting older but it sure seems like the photos improve. Especially once we move past the Bono haircuts.
Disclaimer: I asked John’s permission to use these photos and write about him. No siblings were hurt in the posting of this article.
Loved your disclaimer. :-) The pictures do get better, though I do like the Mountain Man’s beard. Happy birthday to John.
.-= Davina´s last blog ..Book Review for “The Narcissist: A User’s Guide” =-.
Hi Davina – He’s had much longer beards than that too :-) And I really like that photo because his “team” isn’t even paying attention to the game.
Happy Birthday to John!
.-= Mama Zen´s last blog ..Sky In Bloom =-.
Hi Mama Zen – Thanks!
hahahaha
He has an impressive head of hair! Especially in that 20 year old picture. :-)
Hope he has a happy birthday. :-)
Hi Jim – Yeah, at mine and John’s age having hair is awesome and we shouldn’t complain about that hair style :-)
Your brother has long hair. Swoon.
.-= PippaD @ A Mothers Ramblings´s last blog ..A Mothers Ramblings take on 99 Things! =-.
Hi PippaD – He’s had long hair since he was 17. What cracks me up is that my Dad still says, “when is John going to cut his hair?” And I’m always like, “Dad, it’s been 23 years! Let’s move on.” LOL
He definitely improved with age! 40 is a greeeat age to be.
Happy birthday for the weekend John x
.-= Tara´s last blog ..The best feelings in the world =-.
Hi Tara – Thanks! And it’s all because of you that I’ve been digging through old photos ;-)
Happy Birthday to John!
.-= Carla´s last blog ..Cherry Berry Vegan Leather Handbags =-.
Hi Carla – Thanks!
I have a “little” brother too. He’s 3 years younger than me and I can totally relate – me getting older is OK, but him? He’s my baby brother, he can’t possibly be getting older.
.-= vered – blogger for hire´s last blog ..Post Baby Body: Stop it Already! =-.
Hi Vered – It’s so true. Watching them get older is more shocking than actually aging ourselves.
Aw…happy birthday to your brother!! I tell ya, when my hubby turned 40 that really freaked me out – LOL! I’m not quite there yet, will be in May. I have two older brothers (Mic and David) and last summer when I turned 39, David said to me, “How come you’re still not 40 yet?! Mic and I have been in our 40’s all this time and you’re still not even 40 – it’s not fair!”
Hahahaha! And they’re only 2 1/2 yrs (Dave) and 4 yrs (Mic) older than I! So for my big brother – he was bothered that I didn’t turn 40! Goofball. We’ll see how he feels next summer! I know my mom’s gonna hate it! I’m not too freaked out about it – yet! ;)
Love the mullet pic! I miss 80s hair! *ducks*
And I love your disclaimer!!
.-= Lisa Marie Mary´s last blog ..Not Down With Getting Healthier Yet =-.
Hi Lisa – You are very brave to admit that you like mullets :-) Most mock them but I’m sure lots of people still like them. How about the rat tail – remember those?
My Dad does something similar to me – every year on my birthday he will say, “I can’t believe you are 40. I must be really old.” I think me getting older affects him more than me.
Yes, I know – I’m a mullet dork. I admit it. LOL I had my sweet little boys wear them for about their first 5/6 years – they looked so cute!! heehee!
Totally remember the rat tails! Wasn’t totally fond of them on guys – but, there was a similar thing that girls would do and I really liked that. Like, say you have a bob or shoulder-length cut – and then you left one, tiny little section much longer – maybe even braided it. Remember that?
Too funny about my mom/your dad! LOL
Hi Lisa Marie Mary – I think I remember that. And I never minded a mullet on Bono ;-)
OK where’s YOUR 20yr old hair photo? :-)
Happy Birthday to John, I’m 40 in April!
.-= Dennis Edell´s last blog ..Welcome Aboard Part 2! All The Info You’ve Been Waiting For… =-.
Hi Dennis – I posted some that are 20-25 years old recently.
http://www.kimwoodbridge.com/me-in-the-1980s/
Ahh … another 1970’s baby ;-)
Oh yea, remember those. I kept wondering how you got hold of my yearbook. :-)
.-= Dennis Edell´s last blog ..Welcome Aboard Part 2! All The Info You’ve Been Waiting For… =-.
Gooooooood looking brother!!
I can’t stay up like I used to either — what the heck is up with that b.s.?! Not that I really want to, but still, I’d like to be able to if I were so inclined to!
.-= Jannie Funster´s last blog ..Gratitude =-.
Hi Jannie – Well the Woodbridge’s are a good looking family ;-)
I know! I don’t want to stay up really late but I can’t do it even if I wanted to.
Happy Birthday to John! Very sweet post!
.-= Christine´s last blog ..Steamed Broccoli with Garlic and Lemon =-.
Hi Christine – Thanks :-)