Every year since I was about 16, I remember having a sense of nostalgia each time August 2nd rolls around. I don't know why turning 16 prompted me to make note of the aging process more so than any other birthday I had ever had up until that point, but it did. I didn't pay attention to the gifts. I don't remember blowing out candles. I remember for the first time in perhaps my entire life thinking about how old I was. And I remember not liking the feeling at all. Unfortunately, without fail, each year since I've turned sweet sixteen, I always find my birthday to be a bit sad. Birthdays for me are like New Year's. They require a certain amount of analysis of your current situation. I find myself making note of the difference between this birthday and last. I pay attention to the different circumstances, both good and bad, that I find myself in with each passing year. I calculate how many more years I have before I turn the next noteworthy age. I find myself taking inventory of my life. This year when I took my annual inventory, I realized I have found a few truths that I don't think were here before...
1. Dogs make everything better. They do not judge. And they do not talk. Perfect combination.
2. There is not always going to be an obvious sign from the Heaven's above declaring a moment perfectly right to do something completely life-altering. Sometimes you must simply jump.
3. Holding hands with someone really cool when you take aforementioned jump makes the ride easier to handle.
4. Sometimes when you think it could never get any worse, it does.
5. When you think that something costs too much and it's completely unnecessary and that you could always do it another time, do it now.
6. It's okay to bend the rules when you know that the bending is ultimately for the greater good of society...or at least the greater good of one person.
7. Mental health days are completely justifiable and legitimate.
8. It's okay to ask for help.
9. Marriage is perhaps the most complicated task a person could ever undertake. Yet, at the same time, it is also the most worthwhile.
10. No one should talk you into doing drugs or having babies. Ever.
11. There is always a light at the end of the tunnel.
The other day at church as I filled out the weekly attendance/information booklet, I said goodbye to the 18-24 year old box. For a moment, I sat there and wrestled with God about my age. How am I 25 years old? How is this happening? How did I get here? As I walked out of church, I simply decided to accept that the 18-24 box was cool, but the 25-39 box must be pretty interesting as well. I mean the sheer number of years within that age classification alone must mean something fun will happen. The next years may not involve as much alcohol or sleeping in or staying up late. There may not be as many crazy college adventures and social functions. However, I take solace in the fact that the next box of life will hold some new adventures suitable only for the 25-39 crowd. A crowd that I am now part of whether I want to be or not.
Who am I kidding? Getting old is for the birds. I want my 18-24 box back ASAP.
Just FYI, #1 is only true of dogs. Cats definitely hold grudges and will tell you all about it. :)
ReplyDeleteAll very valid points and well stated. I have the hardest time with #5. But I'm working on it.