There are moments in our lives that map the advancing milestones of who we are – these moments are as telling, as they are significant – our lives, our place in that life, and our positions are never more clear than at the realization of these moments – for example:
Learning to walk, pee standing up (gender not specific), to read or ride a bike.
Getting a learner’s permit, a driver’s license, and inevitably an accident.
First date, first romantic kiss, first slap in the face (by your date).
First job, first promotion, first time fired.
Graduating, being recognized for achievement, or public failure.
Appreciating the fact that not only were our parents, teachers, church leaders fallible, but so are we.
Realizing the Wizard of Oz had nothing on an all-powerful one true God.
Getting engaged, married, and (sooner or later) first real fight.
The moment that we learn the value of honey over vinegar.
The first time the infant face of our child lit up when they recognized us.
The moment we understood there are greater motives than being right.
Seeing our child create these moments of their own.
Making a home, buying a house, selling a house.
The moment we realize the importance of silence over yammering on.
Seeing our teenage child cry, or when they see us cry.
The first time we got pulled over by a caring approachable cop -verses- being pulled over by an uncaring, unapproachable cop.
Discovering we can’t prevent our children from growing up, out learning us, getting married, and having a family of their own.
Watching the soul leave the body of a friend, family member, or loved one.
Giving up on keeping up with technology, and just asking for help.
There are many of these moments – and for the most part, none more significant than another.
But, of all these moments, none has smacked me in the face harder than when we recently attended a marriage retreat – sitting in that conference room, surrounded by couples eager to improve their marriages, it hit me… (Mind you, this has never happened to us before.) – we realized we were the oldest couple (62 years old) with the greatest number of years married (40 years) in attendance – this terrified me and caused me to over think this moment.
All of the sudden, I felt like Grandpa Walton (of Walton’s Mountain fame), or Uncle Joe (of Petticoat Junction fame) – my mind and mannerisms took on the posture of a slightly wise, but kooky old character flowing with mixed-matched colloquialisms, and half-baked illustrations – I couldn’t stand or sit without moaning or groaning – I fumbled for a misplaced pen, glasses or my phone – I inexplicitly wished for a cup of coffee, a blanket, and a nap – my bones, back and joints ached – my voice felt gravely and labored – I felt myself instantly ageing, and thought I should update my life insurance, and last will and testament.
Then, just seconds later, a delightful thing happened – while we sat there listening to the speaker, my wife took my hand, smiled and snuggled closer to me – in that moment, nothing else mattered – in a flash, all was well again – age and years no longer held weight over me – in that moment, I felt younger than I’ve felt in years – my life, my place in that life, and my position was as clear as day – I knew that moment was the real milestone mapping the progress of who we are.
Kevin's Thoughts 