Oh dear... maybe I AM old...

I've been in denial. I mean, okay.. maybe I've got a touch of a Peter Pan complex. I don't think it's catchy. I just don't feel old. Mostly. I might say differantly first thing in the morning when I get out of bed......

When my mother was my age, I was 11. I can NOT imagine having children at all, much less an ELEVEN year old child. Nuts. That's insane. I'm not sure I'm fit to reproduce, much less be a live-in role model for some kid. The implications of that- mind boggling. Still, it hit me today... I was passing on stories of "the good old days". Ooohh.. just saying that sends shivers down my spine... The worst of it? In the midst of listening to myself relay these stories- real, every one of them- the "mature" side of me sat up, perked her ears, and said "WHAT? Say again?!"

Okay, okay, okay... I was maybe a titch wild in my late high school years until half-way through college. At the end of my college years, I got engaged and was more than ready to settle down. Or so I thought at the time. Of course, THAT is a subject for another time. Still, at that point.. I'd rather "been there and done that". From skinny-dipping in public (in the middle of the day!!? How did we NOT get caught??), to the variety of illegal shenanigans engaged in by myself and my roomies.. from the toga parties, to the wapatoola parties.. from the guys, in all shapes and especially, sizes.... to the.... did I mention the parties?

Ahhh.. yes. The 19 year old in me misses those times. The freedom. The "joie de vivre". The 31 year old me thinks- "where you freakin' nuts?! You're lucky you made it through!" I guess both points have merit. It's not that I don't still like (even need?) to get out and stretch my wings (so to speak) every now and then. I suppose the main differance now is that my tastes are more refined. I know what I like, and more importantly I know what to avoid. Wisdom- hard, but enjoyably earned- is the hallmark of aging. Another is that little voice that doesn't whisper any more, but instead, hollers, "What?! Are you crazy? Out of your mind? Don't EVEN THINK ABOUT IT!". That voice comes through loud and clear, and now, more often than not, I follow its advice. *sigh* I guess maybe I am getting old. :-P