Recently, a high school classmate had a birthday. It falls exactly one month before mine so I can always claim to be younger.

Her response to my congratulatory social media post was an immediate, “I’m too old to celebrate birthdays anymore.”

My quick response was, “we need to celebrate everything we can at our age, and especially be grateful for yet one more trip around the sun.”

Other commenters jumped on my band wagon. I pondered that a bit and decided that I wasn’t going to allow society to dictate what to me is important or beautiful. The years wrinkle the skin, but a bad attitude wrinkles the heart — which is where true beauty lies.

The truth is that I stopped being what others expected me to be. I did get old but I also get wise. Yes, I avoid mirrors — they are liars. With the wisdom of years, I have finally accepted myself and become more selective of the places, people, ideologies and customs I engage in. I’ve let go of toxic people and wicked hearts.

All those things add to a life is bitterness, unnecessary pain and unhappiness.

Party nights are no longer appealing. I prefer getting ready for bed about 7 p.m. and embracing the solitude with the insomnia. I write instead of focusing on sad memories. There are so many good stories to preserve for my family.

Of course, I still observe people and nature. I’m finally the authentic me. It still requires focus and a bit of work.

I’m nothing special — a common person who loves common things and have led a common life of hard work and love for my late husband, my children and the rest of my family.

Once I cross that mortal veil, my name will soon be forgotten, but I have loved another and been loved unconditionally for nearly six decades. It will be enough for me to know that all our hearts and souls went into that union.

It’s rare to find someone my age that can do everything with the speed, agility and accuracy they could in days gone by. Accept and embrace that. It’s OK if your home is no longer immaculate, your social calendar almost bare and that you take naps if needed in spite of multiple necessary breaks.

Our spirit is the only thing inherently and invincibly strong. It’s easier to develop that spirit during the quieter and slower years than when we dwell in the undisturbed rather than the turmoil of adventure. Don’t put it off though, please.

When one stops learning, they are old. It’s a great way to keep your mind young despite the crumbling of your bodies.

It’s not years alone that creates old age. Keeping enthusiasm, interest in the world around you remaining fiercely loyal to your scruples and ideals creates youth within us.

“Beautiful young people are accidents of nature, but beautiful old people are works of art.” — Eleanor Roosevelt

“The great thing about getting older is that you don’t lose all the other ages you’ve been.” — Madeleine L’Engle

She’s right. Dig into those memory banks and drag out some of the best times from each age and stage of the incredible life you’ve lived. Relive the good times, and if bad times and experiences rear their ugly heads, demand they depart.

Too many people resist transition, never allowing themselves to enjoy who they are or could become. We may as well embrace most change because it can’t be stopped anyway. Take advantage of it when appropriate.

You can still bring all your prior experience though you’re riding at another level. It’s liberating when you allow it.

Not only am I long in the tooth, but also I’m rare. No one has ever had all the experiences that have created the me standing before you today.

Here I am, approaching the end of the play, standing for the ovation.

You might think I’m waiting to die, but no; I am waiting to found. I am a treasure, a map, and these wrinkles are merely imprints of my journey, mostly on unpaved roads.

You can ask me anything and though it may take a moment to explore the overwhelming mass of information stored in my brain, typically it will be recalled.

I was informed that last year was my last to hostess Thanksgiving. Not asked — told. They mean well, but that is one of those changes that require adjustment in my way of thinking.

Too many birthdays? I don’t think so. The longer they keep coming around; I’m still alive and kicking — even if not too high.

When the Lord determines us to be fully ripe, He will pluck from this earth.