"I bleed it out, dig it deeper and I throw it away!" I'm singing at the top of my lungs with a music video as I dust when I turn and see my daughter and her friends Barb and Mark looking on in stunned horror. Barb states. "That's Linkin Park. How can your mom know that song?" Mark thinks it's pretty weird, but cool. Mary, my fourth born progeny, is visibly embarrassed and annoyed. "I thought I was alone." I try to explain. She makes a face and I'm glad looks can't kill. It's better if I leave them to the living room and find something else to do.

I'm not young. I'm not ancient either. Where is the law written than I can't have fun? When did enjoying a dance around the living room or singing out a favorite song become such cause for embarrassment to my children? I can remember when they would line up and shout impatiently, "me next mom, dance with me next." They aren't little anymore. I have one 28 year old married daughter living far away in Kansas. The other 4 will be leaving the nest before too long. They did grow up so quickly; too quickly for me. Now they are 23, 21, 19, and 17. I try to be good example to them, but I can't really tell them what to do or how to act. The good manners, how to be good people, and the rest of those lessons were taught long ago. They are good people too, for the most part. I can offer advice and share their victories and offer a shoulder to cry on when necessary. They, for the most part, try to be grown up. They seem to think that they can judge me, though. Perhaps they are just observing the different directions that my life has taken and are as surprised by some of the paths as I am.

My arms and legs still work. I can hear (most of the time). I work every day. I am able to climb stairs. I'm not 50 years old yet. I'm going to be single again soon. Will the divorce be final before our 30 wedding anniversary? Who knows? Who cares? I'm starting a new life and after several years of heart ache and tears, I am really starting to enjoy it. I am enjoying life again. I like who I am. I am proud of what I have accomplished and my life is not over. There are chapters still unwritten. They may turn out to be the best and most exciting yet.

I'm trying new and different things from singing lessons to piano lessons. I love singing and playing piano is not for me. I'll enjoy listening. I've rediscovered some old loves such as reading for the pleasure of reading and writing. I would love to learn to dance. That is something I've

• 1
• 2
• next page >>

---

Add your voice

Know something about Teenagers versus adults: The struggle in understanding one another?
We want to hear your view. Write now!