Innkeeper’s thoughts about turning 60

by Donna Cain

Well, this is a big year for me as I will turn 60 on June 1st. It feels like a momentous turn in my life, and I thought it would be fun to verbalize my thoughts on what it “feels” like to turn 60.

I love this shot of Byron and myself a few years back taken near Paines Creek Beach. We have been living on Cape Cod for over 12 years now, and we love our careers as innkeepers. We have gone through some hard times when we lost three of our parents during this time and have worked extremely hard building our two businesses. In reflection, most of these years have been blessed and filled with joy.

Here is what I know:

My mother lived with us for many years and passed away two years ago. I miss her terribly and feel like I am just coming out of the fog of her loss. I still think about her many times during my day but I am smiling a lot more when I see her things or remember something special that she did. I think one of the hardest things in life is loosing a parent or loved one. My mom always said that life is for the living, and I think I have a new appreciation for that thought.

I never feel good about myself when I am on a pity train. I have learned to let my mind talk me out of this behavior and on the days that I am feeling blue I always tell myself that tomorrow is another day and I will feel better when I wake up. You know- most mornings I really do feel better and have a more positive outlook on life.

I have had a weight problem since I was a teenager. My weight went up and down and through most of that time I did not respect my body or my health. I tended to stress eat and watched way too much TV. As I get older I find myself paying much more attention to my body, listening to what it is trying to tell me and to think through why I am craving 12 cookies at one time before I eat them:) In January I decided to do a 3 week body cleanse. This actually was the best decision I have made for myself in a long time. I have lost 20 pounds, have a lot more energy, enjoy the food I eat and plan healthy evening meals.

As I get older I love to listen to people. I mean to really listen. There are some incredible life stories and lessons to be learned. I also like to look directly in people’s eyes. There is something very magical about the depth of expression in one’s eyes.

I use to worry about what others thought of me. Life is just too short to worry about that! I strive to be real, honest in my words and surround myself with honest real people. The results are astounding.

I have learned to really enjoy a good glass of red wine. I use to drink white wine but after the cleansing diet, it was recommended that red wine is actually better for you and better to maintain your weight. I love learning about different wines, sharing a good glass with a loved one or having a good glass while I cut vegetables for our evening meal.

Byron and I are a blended family, and we share three wonderful children and a new grandson Trenton. As I get older and look at our kids, I am just in awe at what wonderful individuals we have raised. They are loving, real, honest, hardworking adults, and I love them all to the moon and back.

My three favorite hobbies are knitting, gardening and baking. What a coincidence that those were my mom’s favorite things in life as well.

It’s always been said that one can count your real friends on your fingers. I cherish the women in my life where we can sit down and share our deepest thoughts and know that they are safe. I love to chat with my friends on the phone and realize that I am laughing so hard that my stomach hurts……now that is true friendship!

Last but not least, I cherish the love that I share with my husband Byron. He is a good man. He is an honest man and we laugh a lot. Now that we have a wonderful new innkeeper at Brewster by the Sea I look forward to spending more time together and being able to travel a bit.

And while this body may be older, this heart feels joyful, in love and very appreciative for everything in my life.