LIFE
When I was born the world rejoiced. They all came to see me in my crib. They oh’d and ah’d over every little thing I did. I was a wonderful present, which they all wanted to unwrap. They didn’t even mind when I hit them with my rattle.
When I was five I started school. I was a beautiful little girl with large eyes and I laughed a lot. I was Mommies little darling and the apple of Daddies eye. Of course everyone in school would love me. I was wrong. They did not react well when I hit them with my books.
When I was sixteen I had a sweet sixteen party. All of my friends came and we sat around and talked about boys and becoming. I ate cake and had ice cream. We opened presents. My best friend wasn’t there. Her Mom had just died and she was in mourning. I think of that when everything is going well. It seems that life can hit you at any time.
When I was thirty I married. I invested in the stock market, and cared for my family. I became a Soccer Mom, a shuttle service for the mall, and drove car pool. I picked up people, dogs, sports equipment, dinner and my loving husband. But with all that driving you could almost guess what would hit me. Another car. My insurance didn’t mind.
When I was fifty my children moved away and have families of their own. I looked into early retirement and decided against it. I took up oil painting and redecorated the empty rooms upstairs. I spent hours on the phone making sure that I was still part of my children’s lives. I finally hired a maid, now that I really don’t need one. I like the sound of the word Grandma. My husband and I reinvented the art of conversation and it hit me that I missed being alone with him. He never seemed to mind.
When I was seventy I buried friends and loved ones. I lived longer then a lot of my friends and most of my colleagues. It is a shame that we grow a part and only see one another again when it is time to say good-by. I remember all of the times in my life when it was time to say hello. My children who seem so young have grown children. My husband and I clasp hands like two old gnarled tree branches. It is so hard to be filled with life and laughter when you are being hit with the cold breath of winter.
When I was ninety I had people who came to take care of me, now that I am alone. Even though I thought they are all fools and did not have the brains God gave them. But they cleaned my house, shoveled my walks and said what good health I really was in considering my age and all. I wish that I could hear rock and roll through my feet the way I did when I was young. But my toes are deaf now, and so am I a bit. I guess I was hit with a sound wave that is still resounding in my ears.
When I was a hundred people came to see me because I was old. They sat around my living room and reminisced about things that happened before they were born. They oh’d and ah’d at my historical insights and politely listened because they wanted to know what it was like to be hundred years old. They remark on my startling blue eyes, that my dyed hair is still wavy and other things that aren’t quite as savory. They think I can’t hear very well, but I hear more then they know. They didn’t even seem to mind when I hit them with my cane.
When I was five I started school. I was a beautiful little girl with large eyes and I laughed a lot. I was Mommies little darling and the apple of Daddies eye. Of course everyone in school would love me. I was wrong. They did not react well when I hit them with my books.
When I was sixteen I had a sweet sixteen party. All of my friends came and we sat around and talked about boys and becoming. I ate cake and had ice cream. We opened presents. My best friend wasn’t there. Her Mom had just died and she was in mourning. I think of that when everything is going well. It seems that life can hit you at any time.
When I was thirty I married. I invested in the stock market, and cared for my family. I became a Soccer Mom, a shuttle service for the mall, and drove car pool. I picked up people, dogs, sports equipment, dinner and my loving husband. But with all that driving you could almost guess what would hit me. Another car. My insurance didn’t mind.
When I was fifty my children moved away and have families of their own. I looked into early retirement and decided against it. I took up oil painting and redecorated the empty rooms upstairs. I spent hours on the phone making sure that I was still part of my children’s lives. I finally hired a maid, now that I really don’t need one. I like the sound of the word Grandma. My husband and I reinvented the art of conversation and it hit me that I missed being alone with him. He never seemed to mind.
When I was seventy I buried friends and loved ones. I lived longer then a lot of my friends and most of my colleagues. It is a shame that we grow a part and only see one another again when it is time to say good-by. I remember all of the times in my life when it was time to say hello. My children who seem so young have grown children. My husband and I clasp hands like two old gnarled tree branches. It is so hard to be filled with life and laughter when you are being hit with the cold breath of winter.
When I was ninety I had people who came to take care of me, now that I am alone. Even though I thought they are all fools and did not have the brains God gave them. But they cleaned my house, shoveled my walks and said what good health I really was in considering my age and all. I wish that I could hear rock and roll through my feet the way I did when I was young. But my toes are deaf now, and so am I a bit. I guess I was hit with a sound wave that is still resounding in my ears.
When I was a hundred people came to see me because I was old. They sat around my living room and reminisced about things that happened before they were born. They oh’d and ah’d at my historical insights and politely listened because they wanted to know what it was like to be hundred years old. They remark on my startling blue eyes, that my dyed hair is still wavy and other things that aren’t quite as savory. They think I can’t hear very well, but I hear more then they know. They didn’t even seem to mind when I hit them with my cane.
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