Forever Young

I went shopping with a friend today.  While I am just 30 or 40 miles outside of two major cities, depending on which way I go,  I wanted to shop with someone who could appreciate what I was shopping for (horse related, of course) so I drove 90 miles to go shopping in a city closer to my friend.  I am sure both of our husbands were scratching their head over it; they won’t ever get it even if we explain it to them over and over again. 

Driving home those 90 miles, I stumbled across an oldies radio station (gosh, isn’t there a better word?) that must have been reading my personal play list.  The Eagles, John Denver, a little Springsteen and even Meatloaf thrown into the mix.  I knew the words to every song as well as I did back then. 

“Glory days well they'll pass you by
Glory days in the wink of a young girl's eye
Glory days, glory days”

I thought about my own sons; the oldest going into his senior year this fall.  Youth.  Its such a grand thing and I am pretty sure he thinks he will have it forever and I am equally sure he thinks I have lost my youth and given in to age. 

“Though it’s cold and lonely in the deep, dark night…. I can see paradise by the dashboard light.”

I have a secret to tell my son.  I may have aged and I’ve long since stopped wearing bikinis, but my hair color hasn’t changed since I first discovered this color at age 18.  When I have to put on my mom hat, I may appear to be a bit crotchety, but when I am on a horse or even out in the barn, I feel every bit as young as he does.  Youth is wonderful.  But it has little to do with a particular age or driving fast and running hard.  It has to do with how it feels in your heart.   

I just thought I’d share that little revelation with you. 

No Rhyme or Reason

There are a lot of things on my mind right now.

None of it horse related.

Just kind of in a funk.

The heat and humidity are making our sport as unbearable

as it is when there is snow and wind-chill factors. 

Work is crazy busy right now

Which is good.

It makes the days go faster and really tests my skills. 

I still work well under pressure. 

I mourned for a friend who lost his father.

And I prayed for my sister’s husband

who faces heart surgery

after a heart attack while out fighting a fire.

He’s on the mend.

I’ve been disappointed recently in what I perceive

as the right and the wrong way of doing something.

And it reminded me that if the outcome is the same

To take the kinder route. 

I have been struggling with parenting again

And fear it is a lifetime battle. 

When its good

It is very good.

(The picture in the previous post was all in fun.)

And when its bad;

It just sucks.

And through all of the above,

I appreciate the support of those friends

Who have let me lean on their shoulder

via phone, cyber space or in their company.

I have had this poem going through my head.

It goes something like …

“A time for hanging on and a time for letting go….”

It is not Ecclesiastes 3

or “Turn Turn Turn”

but similar.

My sister and I use to collect poetry

Or “sayings” as we called them.

I know this was in our collection,

but she can’t recall it either. 

When I find it, I’ll share it. 

But know the moment will have passed.

I think I need a road trip,

a little John Denver on the radio

and time in the saddle when I arrive

to get me back on track.

If weather breaks next week

I am so there. 

I am already there.