16 Years. 5 Reasons.

As I was thinking about topics to write about in March…

Something came up this weekend that reminded me how old I really am: a conversation with one of my oldest friends. She pointed out that we have been friends for 16 years. 16 years!!! That’s longer than some of you have been alive, and that’s shorter than some of you can even remember!
 I will say this- don’t let the freckles fool you- this body is aging fast. Receding gum lines, diminishing eyesight, selective hearing hearing aids… these are just a few of the things my poor husband has to deal with.

This got me to thinking back when Kristal and I were in junior high and high school, and that led me to a prayer of gratitude. Not only for Kristal’s friendship for so many years, but also for the fact that I am getting old. Why? Why would I be thankful for that absurd reality? Well, glad you asked my friend…glad you asked.

 1. I don’t have to check urban dictionary every day to make sure that I’m not accidentally saying something that will get me killed. Or fired.

Most of the people I communicate with on a daily basis have the same language I do... an “old” one, so we can all understand each other… and my boss.

However, recently, I told my husband that I was going to write something on my post, and an absolutely horrible look crossed his face and then he erupted into laughter. Evidently I didn’t know that  this particular phrase had changed TREMENDOUSLY in meaning since the last time I’d used it. Thankfully, my husband is a high school teacher and is up to speed on that stuff so he keeps me from getting killed by the younger generation.

 2. I don’t feel obligated to post a selfie of myself every Sunday.
#SelfieSunday did not exist 16 years ago. (Neither did smart phones.)

Some Sundays I don’t like the outfit I wore. Some Sundays are “I feel like I’ve gained 5 pounds” days. Some Sundays are “Oh wait, I have gained 5 pounds” days. Some Sundays my hair looks like I live in a city of 98% humidity… Oh wait, I do.

So guess what? I don’t post a selfie. I am free from the Instagram obligations of hashtag picture days. And for that I am eternally grateful. 

3. I experienced 2 of the world’s greatest superpowers:

 The Cosby Show and Whitney Houston.

Either one of those two phenomenon’s stopped people in their tracks.  It was as if they had the ability to freeze time because no one was able to do anything but be mesmerized when they were seen or heard.

I truly pity the younger generation- they only get to see re-runs and will never hear new recordings.

4. I know how to open a book.

Blogs, articles, online magazines and newspapers, and online books have taken over. Now I get that it is way more convenient to read books on a tablet of computer. I even do it myself. And clearly, I blog, so it’s a bit hypocritical for me to hate on blogging.

But at least I have the memories of my adolescent years…. The years where a book was something you held in your hand and it was not electronic. It was paper.

I remember what it meant to read a book. First you had to receive one, either through the library or a store. So, that, in and of itself, was an adventure. And then, with great respect and excitement, you would break that new book’s silence. You would hear the crack of the spine. And the thrill of adventure would hold you captive as you turned each page. Ahhhh. Bliss.

**If you weren’t a reader as a kid, you may not understand this one. But just trust me when I say you missed out. Big time.**
 

And last but not least:

5. Sometimes I can leave my phone at home and not feel like I’ve lost my soul.

I’ll be the first to say, most days, if I were to forget my phone, I would turn back around and go get it. However, there are some days, some activities, some dates with my husband, or conversations with my girlfriends that the phone stays home.

WHAT?!?!

But how will you know when someone re-tweets you? Tags you in a picture? Posts a status about the weather??? I don’t. Let me say that again- I don’t!!!!!!

There is something remarkably freeing in every once in a while only being with the person you are physically with- and not every Facebook friend, Twitter follower, Instagram follower, and LinkedIn professional in that smartphone of yours.

That is something that I hope will never change and something that I hope others learn.

It’s okay to be alone. Or alone with just one person…

Instead of one person physically but 500 electronically.

I can value face time without feeling like I’m missing out on the rest of the world.

So yes, world, as crazy as it is to admit this. I am fine with being “old”. Grateful even.  God put me here “for such a time as this” with a purpose that is His.

So wherever you are- whether 16 or 60 remember your childhood. Why are you grateful for the age that you are? Each of us have reasons, we just need to take the time to remember them.