Ageing

Today my dad is turning 50 years old. He came up to celebrate over the weekend and we had a great time. I had attempted to make him a funny card but all of the jokes I found for 50 year olds just didn't seem to apply to him. It is amazing how as you get older certain ages don't seem as old as they once did. Like in high school - 30 seemed so ancient - now it is only a few years away for me. 50 still seems a far way off for me but I know it will be here faster than I think. It seemed like not that long ago I had no bills, no real responsibilities, just the dreams of what might be in years to come. Now I look around and realize I'm done with school and I'm in the real world with bills, customer complaints, a job and other responsibilities. I couldn't help but think about what dad thought about the 50 years he has lived so far and what he would change if he could. As for myself and my 24 years I know there would be a few things I would change. It is so funny to think back on my life and how I wished so many years away. I just couldn't wait to get done with each stage of my life: high school, moving out on my own, college, getting my own home....but when I look back now I realize how special each of those stages of my life were and how I miss certain things about them all. I guess I need to stop wishing parts of my life away and focusing on the good things that I have currently and what I will miss when this next phase is over because one day I am going to wake up and I will be 50 just like my dad.

Here is a poem that I had found in high school when I was making my scrapbook my senior year. I think it describes how we would all like to live our lives if we had to do it over again.

I'd Pick More Daisies

by Nadine Star, age 85

If I had my life to live over,
I'd try to make more mistakes next time.
I would relax. I would limber up.
I would be sillier than I have on this trip.
I would be crazier. I would be less hygienic.
I would take more chances, I would take more trips.
I would climb more mountains, swim more rivers,
and watch more sunsets.
I would burn more gasoline. I would eat more ice cream and less beans.
I would have more actual troubles and fewer imaginary ones.
You see, I am one of those people who lives
prophylactically and sensibly and sanely,
hour after hour, day after day.
Oh, I have had my moments
And if I had it to do over again, I'd have more of them.
In fact, I'd try to have nothing else.
Just moments,one after another.
Instead of living so many years ahead each day.
I have been one of those people who never go anywhere
without a thermometer, a hot water bottle, a gargle, a
raincoat, and a parachute.
If I had to do it over again, I would go places and do things.
I'd travel lighter than I have.
If I had my life to live over, I would start barefooted
earlier in the spring and stay that way later in the fall.
I would play hooky more. I wouldn't make such good grades
except by accident.
I would ride on merry-go-rounds.
I'd pick more daisies!