I just had my 60th birthday. For some people that might be traumatic. For me, it's been coveted for the last three years. Turning 60 means reducing my workload and actually having time for things I want to do. Things which strangely include cleaning my house as well as finishing baby quilts for four year olds, dedicating more time to genealogy and name extraction, reading, writing, and spending much more time with my amazing grandchildren.
The first thing on my list was wishing I had earned my degrees before I had a family. I wish I'd known and practiced the child raising techniques then that I know now. I think I could have been a better mother; I know I'm a better grandmother because of the education I've received (coupled with the knowledge that many things have no eternal importance.) But maybe I gleaned so much from my education because of the experiences I'd had in raising six children. I've wished I had more education so my many long hours of employment would reap a greater financial reward. Yet...I wouldn't have the six children I have if I'd gone to school first. Whom would I give up? I guess logically, the "fixins" that became my first three children would have slipped by unnoticed. So, bag that wish. I wouldn't trade all the education in the world for my children. And who knows, if I had been different, would my children be as strong, as resilient, as masterful as they are. I guess I wouldn't trade anything. My children are stalwart, contributing members of their respective communities and are loved by many people.
Therefore my first realistic wish involves my grandchildren. After Olivia was born, I became fascinated with her beautiful hands and their delicate movements. I wish I had started early and had done a photographic journal of my grandchildren's hands.
I thought I would have a really long list. The other things I wish I had done can still be done--like scuba diving in the Red Sea and biking the Oregon Coast. I want to introduce my grandchilren to some more of my loves, most of which include water sports.
I guess I wish I'd watched more sunsets.
The sunsets I've included come from Tucson (first and last), Rexburg from my front yard (second) and the third on a beach near San Diego.
5 comments:
This is a beautiful post, Norris. I like the pictures as well. We miss you. Come and see us, neglecter. It's already been a few weeks.
Lovely. It says a great deal about you that the majority of your post deals with a desire to have improved the service you gave to those you love. Even the desire to have more income I know stems from your wanting to gift more financing to those in need and want. I love you.
I just read an article about how this 66 year old guy is going to attempt "The Great Leap" which means jumping from 30 miles up. No one has ever accomplished this.
I would say that it encouraged to accomplish my goals but I think it also encouraged me that all my goals need not be accomplished by some supposed age in my head.
I think you're right about giving things up. I don't know what I'd trade. What part of me would I be willing to give up? Because any person or experience taken away would lessen me.
Great post. Even better if you said something like, "Now if I gave up Jaren..."
Spooky Ghost
You are such an obedient young lad to quickly assume an appropriate moniker. And I do mean appropriate in view of the fact that nearly everything you write about reveals some of your fears. Good bluff!
Thanks for your comment. I hope to keep this old bod in good working order (which presently it is not; it's in some state of rebellion) so I can free fall. A few years ago at a ride at KnottsBerry Farm, Jaren and I were going to do one of those rides that takes you up about 30 stories and you plummet in free fall fashion. As we were working our way through the line, I was pretty apprehensive about the height of the ride. Jaren was very macho, saying it didn't seem like much of a deal. Finally we were in our seats. As we began to ascend, I was enamored by the beautiful view of the surrounding LA area and getting pretty psyched. My macho little friend was having the opposite reaction and we were very glad he was wearing Depends. When the plug was pulled and we started falling, I was shrieking with delight. You can ask him what he was doing.
If I know my diaper wearing friend well, I would guess he was...hmm, taking other gods' names in vain?
"Zeus, Brahma, Allah, Thor, Ra, L. Ron Hubbard, Zorrraaaaassssttteerrr..."
About like that?
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