I’M FORTY—AND HAPPY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2427, 11 May 1922, Page 4

I’M FORTY—AND HAPPY.

(By A Woman)

Tne average woman is most chars niing when she has said good-bye to thirty. At thirty-five, or forty, a woman can be a charming companion, a sympathetic and loving friend, and a distinct success in her house or business. It has always seemed a mystery to me why so many women try to hide the fact that they are forty, or “turned forty.” In my opinion—l am middle-aged, and proud of it — to be forty is a distinct asset in manv ways.

Youth is immature and restless. Girls have neither the time nor the inclination in which to give much attention to their neighbours, and at twenty “self" is all important. But at forty, a woman who has lived, and learnt and loved and suffered. To-day many women of forty, both married and unmarried, are well and widely read, nidi delight fully • tactful. Looking back along the years, they realise that though they fascinated and amused at twenty, at forty they can keep and hold affection as they never could have done before.

Fame comes to a woman, as a rule, when she has passed the thirtieth mile-stone, if fame is going to come at all: and late marriages, too, are often astonishing successful.

In many ways, I am glad that I am forty. My ways are mapped out, my future is resolving itself. At twenty I was dissatisfied, and a little fearful of what was before me, inexperienced, and extremely selfeemred. At forty, I have a loving husband, children at my knee, a happy home, and many dear friends. Yes—l’m very glad I’m forty!