Thought and Poem

Thought – August 5, 2014

Are you in a hurry to get through all the days of your life? I don’t know too many people in my circle of friends that would say “yes!” Although at one point in my life, I was in a big hurry to grow up. Once the time finally arrived and I found myself all grown up, I wondered what all the fuss was about to get here. Were we having fun? Didn’t know yet as I just got there.

When I look back, I wonder if because I wanted to be a grown up so bad, that perhaps I did not slow down enough to enjoy the in-between stuff that goes on when you are old enough to do things but still living at home. Silly me!

What could possibly have been so terrible, if I were to have had wait a few more years before I ventured out on my own? I didn’t mind paying room and board but now, I have to pay the whole “bundle!” It is not like some of the phone or cable companies where you could “bundle up” and save by mixing and matching options that are offered you, to save money. Now I have to pay it all! Can some please tell me again why I was in a hurry?

When I was living at home, I may not have wanted to follow the “house” rules, and I may have wanted to be grown up so that I could be independent and free to do what I wanted, go where I wanted and come home when I wanted. I am still independent and free to some extent but I am tied to the rules that come to us from aging. “Oh yes, I have tomorrow night free…but oh…I am in so much pain it must be going to rain, I think I will pass…can I take a rain check?” Sound familiar?

I ask myself all the time now, because I don’t think I will ever understand. Why was I in such a hurry to be who I am today? But hey, it wasn’t all that bad really. I earned some badges to wear on my chest and I am pretty proud of them. I got to explore a field on interest and my eyes still shine when I speak about these times. I didn’t get the “Mother of the Year Award,” but I became the mother of 2 beautiful children and my eyes gleam as I speak about their younger days….I don’t take credit for what they do today or what they didn’t do.

I also learned to play guitar and glowed with pride as I played my guitar and sang along with the music as I entertained others from songs that spoke the words of my heart and soul. I have not won awards for any poem or book I have written and I don’t need to as these were gifts to myself. If others enjoy my writing, well then, they can all share how the words penned move them and inspired them to test the artistic waters of their own wells. I am happy today. I just wish I could turn back the time and take life a little slower…you know at a slower pace where I could search out the “real life” and “smell the roses.”

What about you? What were you in a hurry to get to in your life and what would you change? Share your thoughts with us…Jeanne Claire Probst

When I was young, I wanted to be old.

Take your time…you will get there, ´ I was always told.

Still I was eager to get there now.

And eventually I did get to be a grown up somehow.

I don’t remember getting here,

And when I did I am sure it was very clear,

That even though it was fun in the beginning,

When reality hit, I I knew I would repeat to myself, “You’ve got to be kidding!”

No one told me that when I grew up there would be more responsibilities.

I thought it just meant that I would finally be free,

From the rules that governed what I could do,

But I learned is that as you get older, more rules are heaped upon you.

Now that I have a family of my own,

Freedom has flown the coop; I hardly have any time alone.

Although I am happy to be where I am today,

But if I had a choice, to be young is where I would want to stay.

Jeanne Claire Probst

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