BRANDING YOURSELF AFTERAGE 50

Marva L. Goldsmith, AICI CIP

Contributing EditorAlicia M. NailsContributing AuthorsArt LizzaAlford DayCarla Dancy SmithSatori ShakoorSue Thompson

No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner without written permissionexcept in the case of brief quotations.ISBN: 0-9765292-4-6ISBN 13: 978-0-9765292-4-8

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INTRODUCTION

A Flight of Fancy at 50

July 24, 2008

I hear and feel the familiar thud of the plane’s doors closing tightly andthe plane shudders into motion. We roll toward the runway, and Ibegin to say a little prayer as we prepare for take-off.

Halfway through the prayer,

it hit me!

I open one eye in excitement,but then decide to finish the prayer —

always a good idea before take- off

.Finally, after months of agonizing thought, I know what I want to do formy birthday!On December 5th,

I will turn 50

.The pressure to do something in celebration of one’s 50th birthday is

enormous

. Well, at least it has been for

. Think about it:

The half-century mark!

“How old are you?”“Half a century,” she replies.