Across the Ages

/ fillyourownglass

 

“You would hate me if I told you how old I am.”

No, my darling girl, I would not.  I would smile and continue to enjoy your company.  I am sorry to disappoint you, but you will find no jealousy or age rage here.

You see, I have been where you are now.  I know some of what you are going through, and I know some of what is yet to come.  When it was my turn there were extraordinary times, and there were dark times.  I think it is safe to say you will experience both, and I encourage you to embrace all of it.  These are the days that will begin to form you into who you are meant to become.

I will not presume to give you advice.  You would not appreciate it any more than I did when it was unsolicited and directed at me.  I will indulge your idea that you know exactly who you are and what you want out of life.  I might cringe as I watch you make mistakes, but I will not interfere.  I will celebrate your victories and your accomplishments.  I may nudge you ever so gently on occasion, if only to steer you away from certain hurt or danger, but I promise there will be no judgment attached.

I do not begrudge your smooth, unlined skin, nor do I begrudge my fine and not-so-fine lines.  I am not envious of your ability to eat fried foods and rich desserts without fear of repercussions in the form of pounds gained.  Get away with it while you can!  The day will come, far down your road, when you realize that a bit of extra cushioning is not nearly the worst thing that will happen to you.  I have no desire to go back to where I was, but that does not mean I do not want you to be there now.

Shine in your moment, beautiful girl, and live your twenties like they will never end. Then when they do, jump headlong into your thirties and live them like they will never end, too.  Some day, so distant that it seems unthinkable, you will be where I am now- living my forties like they will never end.  I promise you will be amazed by who you are by the time you get here.

Are you in your twenties and just starting out in your “adult” life?  Would you like to revisit your twenties with the knowledge you have now? How do you feel about aging?  Is there a time you wish you could return to, or do you feel that these are the best years of your life?

As always I encourage and welcome your comments and feedback, and I thank you for reading.  Cheers! Karen

 

Photo credit:  www.pixabay.com

59 thoughts on “Across the Ages”

  2. Brilliant as always. I would not want to repeat my 20s. However, I know the experiences shaped who I am today. I agree it might be fun to do some of those crazy things now, without the consequences of a 41 year old body!

    Like

    Reply

  3. I love this post. I spent my twenties worrying about the future but I needn’t have worried — sure, I experienced setbacks and crap but I learned I always land on my feet, just like my cats. I wouldn’t want to do my 20s again, but I’d like to go back in time to send an email to my younger self just saying, “Don’t worry, everything will be fine.” I’m in my 40s now and I’m happier now than ever!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  4. 27-29 were my favorite years. Old enough to feel like a grown-up, young enough to feel like a teenager, wise enough not to do anything stupid, but not so wise that I didn’t try new things. If I could freeze time it would have been then.

    This post was very poetic. I’m sure I’ll be revisiting it again!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • I got married at 27, so I think that is when I truly felt like my adult self showed up, too. Those were good years that helped lead me to the even better years I am having now! I could skip a good portion of my mid-30s when I allowed angst and pettiness to guide me, though I suppose it’s all part of the package. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  5. I’m not jealous of any one younger than me talking their twenties up. My twenties were my irresponsible time also, thirties were for growing up and becoming a parent, I’ll get back to you on the forties in a couple of years!

    Like

    Reply

    • I think it is in your thirties that you really come to grips with growing up and having to deal with “grown up” stuff. You realize it isn’t always fun, that’s for sure. I think when you hit your late thirties and early forties you allow yourself to lighten up again…at least that’s how it’s worked out for me!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  6. Lovely post. Like you, I am grateful for every age I’ve already been. And I look forward to the ones I haven’t been yet. And I would not want to go backward, even if I could lose a few wrinkles.

    Like

    Reply

  7. I am approaching mid 50 & live by the philosophy of embracing where I am. There is such growth & experience in every year, to always be wishing for a different time, is such a waste. Great post & wonderful advice Karen!

    Like

    Reply

    • That’s some great advice you just added as well! I am always sadden by people who constantly need to re-live their high school “glory days”. I work on the premise that right now is my best time, and tomorrow will be that much better! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  9. Great question….I’m 63 and very happy to be where I am. There is a certain comfort and peace knowing your children are settled and happy in their lives. God willing, I have many more years to enjoy these moments. I had the best time growing up so if I could go back to anytime it would probably be then, before my teen years. I’ve known my wife since we were in third grade together so she would still be with me and part of my flashback experience. But I wouldn’t want to stay there. There’s too much of life yet to see and do. The past taught me how to live my future. I’m happy doing that right now.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    • I agree- if I were to go back at all it would be to early childhood. I was fortunate to grow up in a wonderful town, and I’m old enough to have spent every waking minute outside playing and exploring with friends. Our biggest worry was figuring out what to get into on any given day.

      Yes, there is so much more left to see and do. I can’t wait to take it all in! 🙂

      Like

      Reply

  12. We two married-togethers recently completed a questionnaire for our granddaughter’s Marriage and Sexuality course. This blog posting welcomes our response to one of the questions: “7. If you had the choice to go back and re-do the process, what would you do differently? What would you do the same? Early marriage was good [I was 22; she was 20], so I would not change that. Spacing/more children/less children/timing of pregnancy/etc. [Wife]: I would have waited a few more years to have children. [Me]: Not me: I grew old with my children. Maybe a year or two would not have made much difference. But ageing has been remarkable: to see grandchildren. Because of the Rh factor, we were cautioned about having only two children. This changed everything. We never wanted more than we had: two was good. Stainless servings were always for four: Four of us was perfect.

    Like

    Reply

    • I think it’s a good thing we can only ask the question in theory. To be able to act on it would change our space in the universe in ways it wasn’t intended… It is nice that you wouldn’t change much, though, as it validates the choices made.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  13. That is such a great post! I’m pretty happy in my 40’s. I know I will be happy in my 50’s too. It was fun being younger and it’s fun being the age I’m now. Maybe I would like to be a fly on the wall and watch myself in my twenties… Just for fun. But do I want to do it all again? Oh no!!! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  14. Seriously amazing piece!! I could totally relate to every word… Really beautifully written and touching. I got teary thinking of my own 20s and the years that followed and all the things I learned and wisdom I gained… And what’s more to come!:) I look forward to it!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • My 20s were such a crazy roller coaster ride of ups & downs…poor decisions and smart ones…and yes, so much wisdom gained! I wouldn’t do it again, but I do feel a bit sentimental toward that girl I was. Thanks, as always, for sharing your insights!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      • Indeed, ah you said it well. My 20s too were full of both poor and smart decisions. Yet I wouldn’t change a thing, because it all made the the person I am today!
        Cheers to you and your wonderful words!
        Happy Saturday!
        *Lia

        Liked by 1 person

  16. Life has gone by SO fast. Now am going into the mid fifties, I guess the only time I might want to revisit, to see if I could have handled it better was my teens, after my dad died. But these events do change us, and make us the way we are.

    Many of my running partners are in their 20’s and 30’s. It can be a challenge to keep up with them, both distance and pace. Although I may look like an aging baby boomer, I feel in better shape than I was in my 20’s, which is pretty cool! 🙂

    Thank you for sharing Karen. You always have such engaging posts! 🙂

    ~Carl~

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • I used to think I would change my late teens/ early 20s, too, but then I may not have ended up in the wonderful place I’m in now. As my husband & I head toward our mid-40s our goal is to keep in shape and be more athletic than we should be for our age! It’s a good goal to strive for!

      Thanks Carl, for the always supportive words! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  17. I started maturing (at least a little) in my late twenties. I’d never want to relive those days. I’m liking my forties fine but I do miss how easy it was to stay physically fit. I swear my body wants to take on a whole new (“interesting”) shape now, but I’m not going down without a fight! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • I’m going down swinging, but at least I’m still swinging! it’s been a fight since I hit my 40s and quit smoking at the same time three years ago. I am glad for the ongoing trend of health-concious eating and women working out well into their 40s and 50s! Thanks for visiting, and I loved your contribution to Jamie’s post! 🙂

      Like

      Reply

  18. Thank you Karen for sharing this 🙂 This really felt like you are addressing me!
    ” Get away with it while you can! The day will come, far down your road, when you realize that a bit of extra cushioning is not nearly the worst thing that will happen to you.”
    These words… Such a lot to learn from.

    Like

    Reply

  20. What a brilliant post!
    I’ll be entering the dimensions of my 20’s next year and I’ll remember the words you penned above. And honestly speaking, I have no idea whether it was luck or destiny, but something happened today with me, one of my occasional hysterical panic attacks about how I’m gonna end up and I’m glad to say I needed to read something like this.
    Thank you!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Thank you, Aakansha! I am glad to hear my message came at the right time. If I could tell younger me just one thing it would be that the anxiety is unwarranted, and that I’ll be just fine! I think it’s part of the process we must go through to get where we are meant to be, though. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  21. Great post, as someone who has just turned 30 and is already mourning my 20’s I’ll try and keep it in mind! Can always count on your blog for a great dose of positivity after a bad week 🙂

    Like

    Reply

    • I’m sorry to hear you’ve had a bad week. Hopefully the weekend will make up for it!

      I think you’ll find that once you get past the initial mourning phase you will enjoy your 30s a lot! There’s too much to look forward to to be bothered looking back! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  23. As I am entering my 30’s I would not mind rewinding my life a few years back and living my 20’s for couple more years. Though I would like to take back with me the wisdom I gained in these years 🙂

    Like

    Reply

  24. Definitely have enjoyed being older rather than younger…do miss that energy of my twenties though….am thinking I’ll stick with you and bring my body and energy of my 20s up to where I am now!

    Like

    Reply

  26. Pingback: My Picks Of The Week #18 | A Momma's View

Leave a reply to Prajakta Cancel reply