I know who I am, I\u2019ve got nothing to prove, and I\u2019m proud of every gray hair and wrinkle. If my husband, Mike, felt the same way, then it could\u2019ve prevented a lot of heartache.Mike\u2019s been on this kick lately where he mocks my age every chance he gets. It\u2019s like he thinks he\u2019s some kind of stand-up comedian. \u201cOh, Emma, did you forget your dentures?\u201d he\u2019ll say, followed by his annoying laugh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yeah, real original, Mike. But I was determined not to let him ruin my birthday. I invited all my friends over, decorated the house, and bought a new outfit. I was so excited until Mike opened his big mouth.\u201cYou really think you can pull that off?\u201d he asked, staring at me in disbelief. \u201cOf course I can,\u201d I shot back, trying not to let him get to me. Mike chuckled and shook his head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cMaybe we should get you checked out for dementia since you\u2019re clearly losing touch with reality.\u201dHis words were like a knife to my heart. I wanted to say something cutting in return, but words failed me. Then the doorbell rang. My best friend, Karen, was the first to arrive. She immediately complimented my outfit, giving my self-esteem the boost it needed after Mike\u2019s insult. The house filled with laughter and chatter as everyone else slowly arrived. I was in my element, greeting everyone and making sure they had drinks. But Mike, of course, had to put a damper on things. \u201cEmma, do you really think you should be drinking that wine? Isn\u2019t it past your bedtime?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201d he said loud enough for everyone to hear.A few people awkwardly chuckled, but mostly there was an uncomfortable silence. I clenched my jaw and smiled through it. \u201cI\u2019ll manage, Mike.\u201d The party went on, and I tried to ignore him, but he was relentless. \u201cYou\u2019re going to eat that cake? Do you really want to be old and fat?\u201d he said when I reached for a slice. It took everything in me not to scream at him.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I know who I am, I\u2019ve got nothing to prove, and I\u2019m proud of every gray hair and wrinkle. If my husband, Mike, felt the same way, then it could\u2019ve prevented a lot of heartache.Mike\u2019s been on this kick lately where he mocks my age every chance he gets. It\u2019s like he thinks he\u2019s some…<\/p>\n