So much has changed in my life over 40 years. Things I believed as a kid, like that I would always be opposed to plastic surgery, fall by the wayside when time and age finally hit you! I used to think people just naturally got old and why would people be so quick to get a facelift? But, let’s just say that after two c-sections I would not be opposed to a little tummy tuck now!
I’ve learned a lot over the last 40 years about what is important in life that as a kid you just don’t know. You start to learn that the things you took for granted as a kid were things that your parents worked hard to get for you. You realize that although hanging out with your parents and grandparents is not much fun when you are a kid that you will one day miss them as an adult and wish you had spent more time with them.
The biggest lesson I am trying to learn is that although I have given up a lot for my children to be here for them, they will grow up and still think I am so uncool and that I know absolutely nothing compared to them. How do I know this? Because this is how I have felt about my own parents.
But about a year ago I read a blog about this very topic. It was very eye opening. It reminded me that at one point in their life my parents were young. They were cool. They did fun things, went out on weekends, hung out with their friends, and in time they gave up a lot to be a parent to me and my siblings. When I read this I thought about how one day I will be just like my mother, sitting on the couch on a Friday night, watching Dallas (or in my case Bill Maher) while my kids are off going to parties and on dates. The blog also reminded me that just as I am doing for my kids, my parents gave up a lot of their social life and other things to do things for me but that doesn’t make them uncool. It made them good parents.
So, while I hope one day my kids will appreciate everything I have done for them, I hope my parents know that I do appreciate everything they have done for me and what they have sacrificed to be my parents. And, while they are just over that 64 year mark – I still love them!
When I get older, losing my hair, many years from now
Will you still be sending me a valentine, birthday greetings, bottle of wine?
If I'd been out 'til quarter to three, would you lock the door?
Will you still need me, will you still feed me when I'm sixty-four?
-Beatles
6 days and counting!