And you shall hallow the fiftieth year

I read this verse today (it's from Leviticus) and was taken aback. In December, God willing, I will complete my fiftieth trip around the sun (how's that for putting it all in perspective?) and I've been very much aware of it since we rolled into 2008. Not because I'm dreading it. Au contraire! I am thrilled, although I'm not entirely sure why. I think it's partly because that is such an awe-inspiring number. A car that's 50 years old is a collector's item. Fifty-year scotch costs thousands of dollars. So clearly there's something impressive and to be treasured about having a history of that many years. Also, I'm acutely aware that, medical advances notwithstanding, one is never assured of getting to that point. I've personally experienced enough ambulance trips to drive that point home.

On the other hand, aging is not something that American society values. Young and attractive is so much more appealing, apparently, than mature and...well...less firm, shall we say? And I would totally love to be as slim and firm as I once was. But I have an appreciation of what years of living can give, if you let them.

The whole verse is
"And you shall hallow the fiftieth year and you shall proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you: you shall return, every one of you, to your property and every one of you to your family".

The definition of "hallow" is

1. To make or set apart as holy.

2. To respect or honor greatly; revere.

Jubilee means "a season or an occasion of joyful celebration."

Maybe technically the fiftieth year is the one I'm in right now, which is cool, because it's been a good year. But I didn't think of it in time (hehe) so for me it will begin on my b'day. Here's to a season of joyful celebration, and a year to set apart and honor.