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I\u2019m at the library fingering through rows of novels to relax with over the weekend.\u00a0 The only problem is I left my reading glasses at home.\u00a0 I squint; I back my head away from the book spines to focus. Now I\u2019m getting dizzy.\u00a0 Finally, I pluck a book off the shelf and carry it to the checkout desk. Welcome to 40 years old.\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\nI was bewildered for several years in my early forties when I read the words in Quran, on medicine bottles and in reading books and could barely decipher them.\u00a0 Why are the words so tiny I wondered?\u00a0 The reality was my eyesight was on the decline. Vision loss is just another reminder that my body is wearing down and soon I\u2019ll be returning to my Lord. <\/span><\/p>\n Although I know I will not be here forever, I do hope for a healthy quality of life. One of the greatest challenges I have as I age is maintaining my health. Because people in their 40\u2019s increasingly are being diagnosed with diabetes and hypertension, I find myself making stronger efforts to eat healthy foods and exercise regularly.\u00a0 I discovered another important reason to be extra conscious of my health during my forties: <\/span><\/p>\n Two years ago I received a wonderful, unexpected surprise.\u00a0 I became pregnant with my eleventh child.\u00a0 I was absolutely convinced that my youngest girl was my last, for none of the friends and relatives I grew up with nor my present acquaintances had delivered babies in their mid-forties (or at least that I recall.) \u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n One of my primary apprehensions during this last pregnancy was dealing with the health complications that accompany old age. I was constantly concerned about developing gestational diabetes and hypertension, which can seriously affect the health of the baby. So I had to be particularly vigilant about eating well and maintaining my doctor appointments. \u00a0\u00a0To complicate the situation even further, I found that I fell into the category of mothers more likely to deliver a Down Syndrome baby, as this condition is more common with older mothers than younger ones.\u00a0This presented frequent anxiety for me as well.<\/span><\/p>\n Being a middle-aged mother isn\u2019t all gloom and doom, though. \u00a0There are abundant positives in raising my younger children while I\u2019m older.\u00a0 Because I\u2019ve had plenty of experience with my older kids, I now feel more secure in my childrearing skills. \u00a0I know now what works and what doesn\u2019t.\u00a0 I know what\u2019s worth spending my time on and what\u2019s a waste of time. <\/span><\/p>\n But eventually the child birthing years do end.\u00a0 This is why I think the forties are an opportune time in my life to pursue some of my long held ambitions. For many years I\u2019ve had a desire to start my own business.\u00a0 Earlier this year I started a home based copywriting business called Payless Writing Service.\u00a0 I compose resumes, produce press releases and newsletters, and write copy for brochures, web sites and other business related material.\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n