I am at a particularly fortunate age in my life; I am at an age that fits. A lot of people, young and old, long to be what they are not. Teenagers may wish for the freedom and independence of adulthood, and middle-aged folks often long for the carefree days of their youth.
This photo was taken at the beginning of January, one week into my weight-loss quest. I wish I’d already lost my 19 pounds by then, because this picture would be just perfect. Every time Poor Kyle sees it, he smirks to himself and says, “Dang, I’m hot.” Only he says “hot” with two Ts. He loves to look at his face.
Me? I’m perfectly happy with my age. I’m young, but not too young to drive (and isn’t that the goal of nearly every teenage anxiety—oh, how I anticipated the day I could get in a car and just…go). I’m old, but not so old I can’t drive. I’m quite satisfied to reflect on the past, and anticipate the future, but ultimately just embrace the present.
Oh, sure, there are times when I don’t feel old enough—or perhaps mature enough—to deal with issues in my life. Take, for example, two weeks ago, when I went to have my face butchered and my teeth ripped from their sockets:
I was in the waiting room filling out medical paperwork, waiving my right to be revived if dead, and donating all my organs to noble causes, when I came to the line requesting the signature of the patient, or his/her legal guardian. So, naturally…
…I turned to my left…
…I turned to my right…
…and was dismayed when I realised my mother was nowhere to be found.
“Oh yeah,” I thought, “I guess I’m my own legal guardian now.”
Do you know how it feels to sign your life away all by yourself, without parental consent? It is at the same time both liberating and terrifying.
Those instances are rare, though; I am, for the most part, quite content with my age as it is now. I’m young and independent, but I’m still lucky enough to have a tight-knit group of family and friends as a support system. I have everything I need, and probably more than I deserve.
I’m very happy.
And how many people can say that about themselves?
{Hope you have a capitol weekend.}
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