I turned 50.

I woke up and it was February 15 and I was another year older and into a new decade of living.

It was weird.

I’ve always loved my birthday, always enjoyed making a big deal out of it.

When I was a young woman, walking down the street deep in thought, a man I did not know would say to me, "Smile, it can't be that bad...Why would a pretty girl like you look so unhappy?"

It happened quite a bit.

If you are a woman, I'm willing to bet it has happened to you - a stranger has told you to smile.