They say life is a circle and the inside of that circle is filled with lots of ups and downs; joy, laughter, sadness, and along the way, many different milestones. Marina turned 16 today. I woke up thinking I am not ready for this day. But, it's here and there is nothing I can do about it. I called her to wish her a happy birthday before her school started. She sounded so excited on the phone. And why not? Turning 16 is a happy milestone for her. It means she is one step closer to getting her drivers license, and what kid wouldn't be excited about that? But, when I hung up the phone from talking to her, my mind wandered back to the time when I asked Elijah to stop growing and always be my baby, and he replied, "I'm trying Dad, but God won't let me!"
I remember when I turned 16, and yes I can remember back that far. I failed my driver's test the first time I took it because I didn't know how to parallel park. At the time, I thought it was unnecessary and I still think that today. I can count on one hand the number of times I have had to parallel park in my life. Praise the Lord for shopping center parking lots! I've already been letting Marina drive on the (ahem) off-roads, and she does a great job. I'm just not ready to admit I have a child that is 16-years-old. It's more of a ME problem than anything.
See, this year, I turn 50, and before you start trying to give me a hard time about it, in the words of President Richard Nixon, "Let me make one thing perfectly clear." THAT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN FOR SEVERAL MONTHS!
I received a piece of snail mail a while back and from the outside it looked 'governmental' or official, but it also had the words: 'OPEN IMMEDIATELY IF YOU ARE BETWEEN THE AGE OF 50 AND 85.' I should have known better, but before thinking, stupid me opened it. Well, it got worse on the inside. It was from some insurance company, etc. etc. etc. But, then I saw it. Near the bottom of the letter, were these words in large, bold print: 'NOW THAT YOU'VE TURNED 50, YOU QUALIFY FOR THIS PROGRAM!' A-ha! Qualify? I had them and I knew it. I hadn't turned 50 yet. That's not for another several months. So, I wrote, "I THINK YOU HAVE THE WRONG GUY" on the letter and promptly mailed it back to them! My friend, Amy, is always calling me old, but she is usually so pre-occupied with some craziness in her life, I think she has me confused with someone else!
On Monday, my uncle, Wallace Allred, passed away. Two days later, Marina turns 16. I guess that's the way of that circle of life. 16 or not, Marina is always going to be my baby. Nothing will ever change that. I love you, Sissy! Happy Birthday!
Black Elk was a famous Sioux holy man who lived from 1863 to 1950. This guy got around. He was second cousin to Crazy Horse. He participated in the Battle of Little Big Horn...was injured in the Wounded Knee Massacre...and even traveled to England with Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show. Somewhere along the way, he managed to write the following. Please read it.
Everything the power of the world does
is done in a circle
The sky is round
and I have heard that the earth
is round like a ball
and so are all the stars
The wind in its' greatest power whirls
Birds make their nests in circles
for their's is the same religion as ours
The sun comes forth and
goes down again in a circle
The moon does the same
and both are round
Even the seasons form a great circle
in their changing
and always come back
to where they were
The life of a man is a circle
from childhood to childhood
and so it is with everything
where power moves
I have just "discovered" your blog today. I can relate to your thoughts as our first born turned 21 today. Time moves so quickly.
ReplyDeleteI have been enjoying reading several of your posts and sharing memories with our children. WANY through the years, the Drive-in theatre and the FFA creed stand out.
I plan to be a frequent vistor and look foward to additional posts.
Martina Brown, Clinton County
Yes - I am very interested in our genealogy of my Family starting in the Revolutionary War period.
ReplyDelete:) Awesome!
ReplyDeleteI am also very interested in many things: history;people;poems;the ways of life;friends;love of others;caring of others;children and on to eternity.
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