I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I –
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
-Robert Frost-
My birthday is on Sunday and I will be 53 years-old. It certainly causes one to pause and consider, especially after turning 50 and boy have I been considering these last three years! During an especially challenging time my dear, late friend, Barney Hyde put his arm around me and said, “Everyone in this room (daily Mass where the average age was 70) had a time in their life where God tapped them on the shoulder and said, ‘You’re going to take a left turn.” Michelle, this is your left turn.” Yes, I went kicking and screaming into that left turn but It also took me down the road less traveled.
Isn’t that the greatest thing about getting older? You really do get to reflect on the choices you’ve made, assess what you’ve done, what you haven’t done and what you may still need to do and have a clearer perceptive of who you are and how you fit into all this. The normal parts of aging; wrinkles, age spots, aches, pains, the unexpected bumps in strange places - are all parts I expected or surprised by but I am delighted to say I haven’t minded – okay, I haven’t minded THAT much. Sure it’s weird to catch a glimpse of yourself and see the reality between what your mind remembers and what is really there - I do wonder why that always seems to be in the reflection of the car window. I would be less than honest if I didn’t admit I look with rabid interest every time I see a new ad for an anti-aging product. But truthfully, do I really, really want to look like I’m 25 again? Most of the time I am pretty darn happy with being my age as long as I avoid the car as my mirror!
Maybe it’s because of my birthday but I’ve been thinking about the road less traveled and how that journey, albeit more bumpy and unpredictable, has brought me great joy. I hear Barney’s kind voice whispering in my ear, “Michelle, I wish I could live long enough to see all the adventures you’re going to have.” I know now that the left turn, when you’re open enough to accept it, will give you adventures beyond your wildest dreams. I smiling because I’m 53 and know that I’ll be just as happy to turn 54, 55, 56 . . . and experiencing that next journey regardless of where it takes me.
*Note about the title: When Peter was about 8 years-old we were at the Mariner game. For birthdays they would play the Beatles's song, "Say It's Your Birthday," Peter looked at me and asked, "Why does the song say, Ken Griffey Jr. Mom?" I can't think about a birthday without also remember that. He was such a cute, little innocent guy! Still cute but not so innocent.
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I –
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
-Robert Frost-
My birthday is on Sunday and I will be 53 years-old. It certainly causes one to pause and consider, especially after turning 50 and boy have I been considering these last three years! During an especially challenging time my dear, late friend, Barney Hyde put his arm around me and said, “Everyone in this room (daily Mass where the average age was 70) had a time in their life where God tapped them on the shoulder and said, ‘You’re going to take a left turn.” Michelle, this is your left turn.” Yes, I went kicking and screaming into that left turn but It also took me down the road less traveled.
Isn’t that the greatest thing about getting older? You really do get to reflect on the choices you’ve made, assess what you’ve done, what you haven’t done and what you may still need to do and have a clearer perceptive of who you are and how you fit into all this. The normal parts of aging; wrinkles, age spots, aches, pains, the unexpected bumps in strange places - are all parts I expected or surprised by but I am delighted to say I haven’t minded – okay, I haven’t minded THAT much. Sure it’s weird to catch a glimpse of yourself and see the reality between what your mind remembers and what is really there - I do wonder why that always seems to be in the reflection of the car window. I would be less than honest if I didn’t admit I look with rabid interest every time I see a new ad for an anti-aging product. But truthfully, do I really, really want to look like I’m 25 again? Most of the time I am pretty darn happy with being my age as long as I avoid the car as my mirror!
Maybe it’s because of my birthday but I’ve been thinking about the road less traveled and how that journey, albeit more bumpy and unpredictable, has brought me great joy. I hear Barney’s kind voice whispering in my ear, “Michelle, I wish I could live long enough to see all the adventures you’re going to have.” I know now that the left turn, when you’re open enough to accept it, will give you adventures beyond your wildest dreams. I smiling because I’m 53 and know that I’ll be just as happy to turn 54, 55, 56 . . . and experiencing that next journey regardless of where it takes me.
*Note about the title: When Peter was about 8 years-old we were at the Mariner game. For birthdays they would play the Beatles's song, "Say It's Your Birthday," Peter looked at me and asked, "Why does the song say, Ken Griffey Jr. Mom?" I can't think about a birthday without also remember that. He was such a cute, little innocent guy! Still cute but not so innocent.
Happy Birthday, Michelle! I wouldn't mind looking 25 again. I would never want to BE 25 again, but looking 25? I wish I had been able to enjoy looking like that, rather than obsessing about my thighs! If I'd only known what was to come...
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