Turning 50 is a BITCH

"Turning 50 is a Bitch,” is a series of essays documenting Cheryl Gittens-Jones' life journey, from illegitimacy to legitimacy, on all levels. The work deals with identity, race, aging, culture, parenting, ‘otherness’, loss and more. She wrote these essays over the space of two years in order to help her deal with a host of complex issues, which were continually emerging from her life, as she transitioned to 50. Cheryl’s life to this point has been traumatic, chaotic and multifaceted. In order to arrive at this point she took full responsibility for a life that was careening headlong into disaster. She was saved from herself when she found the practice of Buddhism. The practice is now her life's philosophy. It is incorporated in her every thought, word and deed. In order to survive her life Cheryl created two existences. When the pain and trauma was visited upon her physical, her spirit retreated into one of them and was never touched by the pain experienced by her body. Today the existence, which was hidden away safely, has fully emerged and she lives her life fully in the present. Cheryl recreated a home and family for herself and is finally living a ‘wholistic’ and healthy life. Once she started writing these essays things became clearer. This work shares her very personal life journey to this point. Cheryl has written it for her daughter who is now 13 years-old. She wants her to learn about her journey in her own words. Cheryl and her daughter are on the precipice of something new. Her daughter is coming into her womanhood and Cheryl is transitioning and evolving out of hers at age 50. Cheryl hopes this work will help other women who are going through similar life changes as well as those women who are survivors of abuse. She believes many women go through struggles in their lives. However, it becomes even more difficult when their lives are complicated by issues of abuse and trauma. The cohesive theme for this work is to, ‘Just live, Just laugh'. Even though life has been tough, through all the chaos and paralyzing, traumatic times, she always had time for a good laugh. Cheryl feels it is important to laugh at one’s self because it can help to keep one sane when all else is out of control and chaotic. Biography: Cheryl Gittens-Jones is a Permanent Resident of the USA. She is a practicing Buddhist, a stay-at-home mom, poet, writer and novice photographer who has an opinion about everything.