by Rhaevyn

Created on: June 27, 2008

I can still remember being a kid, playing in our neighborhood with my sister and our friends. Back then someone in their teens seemed to be so grown up - so other worldly; someone I couldn't wait to be... an eternity away.

I remember later being that teenager and the world seemed foreign, like it didn't fit. Hormones and high school, best friends and heartaches. And boys... It was all so wonderful and confusing - but all I wanted was to be an adult. It was that in between time, not a child but not an adult. After watching my own children go through this I understand it even more now.

And then I was finally the adult I always wanted to be. And what a let down that turned out to be.

It was about this time I had a firm grip on the hands of life's clock, giving it everything I had trying to turn it back. My 20s were a blur. Raising my daughters saw me through my 30s and suddenly I was looking in the mirror at a woman in her 40s. Who was this person? She looked so different. Time had flown by in a heartbeat. I felt like the same person, still had the zest and tastes of my 20s, but my goodness that reflection certainly spoke differently. There are just not enough facial products in the world to give back what we lose after our 20s, let me tell you.

This year I turned 50 and became a grandmother for the third time. I have reflected on my life, remembering how I watched my daughters grow up and go through the same things I did. The active childhood, the anxious teen years, the early adulthood, and now motherhood. They grew up alway wanting to know everything, Mommy had all of the answers, of course (right?). And now they understand. One day the process will repeat for them as well.

So now I try and stay positive about the second half of my life. Having a young mind in an aging body is a difficult concept to come to terms with. Facing our own mortality is something we all deal with in our minds, whether we speak of it or not. But every year is another tick on the clock, another second closer to being separated from the only life we know. For some of us we are prepared. For others there is fear and dread. I hope to be at peace when it is time; to know that I had a full life.

People are always saying "Life's too short." I heard someone respond to that once with "No it's not. It's the longest thing you'll ever do." I take heart in that. Hopefully we can all live a very long and happy life.

Learn more about this author, Rhaevyn.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.