When you're young, nothing makes sense . . . it doesn't have to . . . you live in the moment! And that's okay . . . really . . . because sometimes it's only the moment that matters.
But when you look at someone who's "old" . . . I mean, geez . . . what's old to you? 25? 36? 48? 75? In one week I'll turn 54, and I never thought I'd get to be THIS old . . . but I don't feel old . . . well, most of the time I don't.
When I was little I thought my parents were old . . . my grandparents ancient! I thought it was silly, at age 7, that my grandmother, in her 70's, rode a bicycle . . . but she did it! I was embarrassed, at age 13, when my other grandmother, in her 60's, danced the Charleston . . . IN {{{GASP}}} PUBLIC . . . in the middle of Cracker Barrel!!
Where was I going with this . . .
. . . oh yeah . . .
What do you think/do/say when you see someone old? Can you even fathom that, at one time the person you're looking at was someone's newborn? A mischievous 3 year old falling off the kitchen chair, busting her lip . . . who was just trying to reach the cookie jar on top of the fridge? An 8 year old climbing a tree to get that apple . . . the red, juicy one on the top branch? A 16 year old taking his driver's license test so he can finally drive that car he's been working on for 2 years . . . the one his grandfather left him? An 18 year old heading off to join the military . . . scared out of her mind . . . but willing to give her life for the country she loves? A 24 year old spinning on the dance floor . . . not a care in the world . . . with her new husband? A 28 year old holding her first baby . . . for the first time? A 41 year old watching his father battle cancer . . . knowing full well the battle will be short? A 53 year old watching her grandson come into the world . . . almost losing him and her daughter at the same time?
Spend some time with the old folk . . . make them tell their stories . . . oh, the stories they have!
I did a little of that with my grandmothers; I never got the chance to sit down with my grandfathers . . . one died before I was born . . . I lost the other one when I was 11 . . . before I understood the importance of asking questions! I loved to hear my parents talk about their childhood . . . tell stories about me and my sister. I gave my mom a couple of books . . . one for each of my girls . . . that had prompts for her to write about her childhood . . . to record her stories. She finished one for your mom. I gave my dad a smaller version . . . with less space to have to write so he'd at least consider it . . . with prompts as well. I think he's still working on it.
This is why I decided to write for you. Because when you grow up, you're going to think I'm old! If I'm still around when you're 7, and you tell me I'm too old to ride a bike . . . guess what's going to happen! I will also dance in public when you're 13 . . . embarrass the hell out of you . . . because I know it won't kill you . . . and you'll eventually find it . . . at the very least . . . endearing . . . more likely hysterical!
I know that I can't stop the aging process, and I know one day I'll be done here, but by George, I'm going to fight it every step of the way! Because you know what? That 80 year old man you see sitting on the park bench feeding the pigeons . . . that man was a sniper in the Marines . . . he was a badass LONG before you knew what badass was! That 83 year old woman you're rolling your eyes at because you're stuck behind her in line . . . the one fumbling to find change in her purse . . . she was a world renown neurosurgeon . . . called in on special cases only because she was so highly specialized!
Do not underestimate the old people . . .
. . . do not dare them either . . .
. . . they just might surprise you!
No comments:
Post a Comment