Aging

At what point was it that you looked at your parents and realized they weren’t as young as they used to be? When did your voice begin to sound like that? When did the skin on your face begin to droop? When we are young, our parents are invincible. No, they’ll never get old, they’ll never break! Lies we deceive ourselves with, unknowingly, as if our grandparents were born that way…

What happens when we begin to turn the ages that we remember celebrating our parents turning? What happens when we begin to face the loss of loved ones: grandparents, godparents, aunts, and uncles… Must we begin to think about the mortality of our own parents – of ourselves? What crosses the mind when a parent begins to tell you their final wishes? No, I don’t want to hear this! You’re too young, you have so much more living to do!

When I was young, I thought I was an old soul. The older I become, the more I come to realize the youthful nature I possess. I accept the body aches and pains that come along with getting older. Having children that are 13, 11, and 9, I wouldn’t dare do anything to try to make myself appear younger! If I may be a walking contradiction, I am an old soul with a youthful nature. I don’t always feel very adultish (who says I have to?), this does not mean I am not responsible. Someone asked me, after I purchased a home, “Well, do you feel like an adult now?” They were quite surprised when I answered, “No.” I make responsible, adult decisions, everyday! This in no way changes my character, or who I am, smile.

I am often curious, who the girl inside will be as she ages… At some point, as I see my parents aging, I think, “That too, will be me!” Already, when I look in the mirror, I see the reflection of time having taking it’s toll on my face. No longer a young face, as I approach middle adulthood… A new stage of life on this rollercoaster called: Aging.

*Original Photo – Me and my mom 2016*