A message to my newly 34 year old self…
34 Years. Seems like a long time. At first blush, it seemed like a reason to be somewhat sad. After all, I did not accomplish much on my to-do list I did back in grade 11 as a 17 year old.
Let’s see –
I have not won an Oscar for Best Actress.
I am not a career novelist (yet).
I do not live somewhere tropical, resplendent with horses, greenery and golden retrievers.
When I drove to work this morning, I was not driving a 1966 Mustang Convertible.
As I got dressed, I couldn’t help but notice that I do not sport the “Gabrielle Reece” body of my dreams.
People do not regularly ask me for my autograph and I have yet to adopt a bunch of orphans from all over the world.
I have never worked as a overseas missionary, or walked on the moon.
I have not done any of those things in the 34 years I lived on this planet.
Wow, what a tremendous list of failures!
What I have done seems less world-shaking.
I managed to have a spectacular childhood with my two wonderful sisters, Tammy and Patti. This formed the basis for a close friendship to this day. My parents loved and nurtured me to adulthood, and although they were not perfect, I love them and know that they love me.
I made many friends and try on a regular basis to get them to have deep belly-laughs, even if it’s at my expense. Some of my friends have known me all my life, so I must be pretty special if they have been willing to be a part of my life for that long.
I went on to have some very special relationships with some of the best men I will ever know.
I (eventually) successfully completed high school and despite the seemingly random series of events that led me to communications and writing – I navigated not only a difficult college course, but stumbled into a career that seems to fit me like a glove.
I met, and married, a wonderful man that is my opposite in almost every way, but somehow we make it work and keep it fun. He cleans up after me, sometimes with some grumpiness, but we each take turns talking each other out of our respective trees, so somehow we have made it almost 13 years (ten married).
Together we created the most precious, amazing little girl that has ever graced this world (I may be biased). I am gifted everyday in not only the blessing of being her mom – but the fact that most days she makes it effortless in the very ease of being her. Being her mom, I know I have truly found my place and my gift. I was literally created to fill that role and I love every day in it.
I fostered a loving relationship with God. Through many trials, ups and downs I held on to my faith – even when it seemed like only a small life raft in a gale. He kept me afloat and brought me back when it seemed like the darkness would never end.
Never really showing any stellar athletic ability, I recently discovered the joy of physical activity, and although I may never medal in a race (maybe when I am 85) - I have completed every one I signed up for. I now know the feeling and power of the muscles in my legs coiling and releasing in a glorious run.
Every weekday after work I get into my car and drive to my house, where I have a family. We break bread together and laugh, cry, play and love.
How do the columns measure up? How do I really feel about these 34 years?
I plan to be around long after my 68th birthday. Knowing that, I haven’t even made it halfway through my expected life yet.
Looking back on what I have done with my 34 years, I have lived many lifetimes of joy and pain, laugh and love.
And now I am ready to live so many more.
After all, I still need to win that Oscar 