On October 11, 1994, I was born with a full head of hair that stuck straight up. On October 11, 2015, I was 21 years old. On October 11, 2016, I am going to be 31 years old, or at least that's what it feels like! We've all heard it, "18 is cool because you're an adult now, 19 is sort of boring, 20 stinks because you're not 21, and 21 is always awesome." However, WHY DOESN'T ANYONE TELL YOU ABOUT TURNING 22?
I don't know what miss Taylor Swift was talking about because I see nothing worth singing about! Well, I take that back, at least I have another birthday to look forward too! A day where you can see the sun shining is a great day, but what is so great about turning 22?
I was talking to my mom about it, and we are having a small family gathering on Sunday for my sister and I (we share the same birthday, I was born on her 12 birthday and she was so mad, HA sorry Linz). "We will be having tacos!" Mom said, and I'm thinking, "Great, I do love tacos. Tacos are fantastic and especially on my birthday, but it doesn't even feel like I should have a birthday soon!" It's a selfish thought, but why does my 22 birthday not seem as important as the others, and why is getting older suddenly so scary?
Well one, getting older means "the real world" is approaching. It means college is about to be over and I'm going to have to work for a living. Getting older also means student loans, bills, rent, and wearing dressy clothes every day! One day is fine, but EVERY DAY? No thank you. Getting older means your bones hurt more, muscles are more sore, and your face is a little more droopy. Getting older just sounds like a blast, don't you think?
I love the shift we see in our lives as we age. How many people would say, "I'd love to go back to middle school!"? Exactly, especially not if you had a mean uni-brow in middle school like your boy! Hey, at that time, we were all a little awkward! But as we grew older, we wanted to be older. We longed to speed up our aging process. We couldn't wait to go to high school, we couldn't wait to be seniors, we couldn't wait to be in college, we couldn't wait to be 21.
But now what? We see the shift. Now, I wouldn't mind going back to middle... never mind... back to freshman year of college to do it all again. I would love to go back, but time does not allow for that. Time is progressive, as is life.
So why is turning 22 special or significant in any way? Because it means you are progressing. It means that new branches on your tree of life will continue to grow and reach for the sun. It means that you have made it another day in this world and that you have been given another year to impact others. You have more time to make a change, or to make someone's day. God has blessed you with another day to tell your parents you love them, to hang out with your best friends, and to better your own life. Turning 22 is significant because it means we've had 22 wonderful years of you.
So, I got you Taylor, I understand now. Turning 22 is not about dreading the future, but embracing the present. Yes we are getting older, but we are also blessed.
To all my friends turning 22: I know it feels odd and unimportant, but now you have more time to make the most of your life! Do not fear getting old, as with age comes wisdom, and Lord knows we need all the wisdom we can get! Make an impact, make someone's day, and always be kind. After all, 22 doesn't last very long!
Also, HAPPY BIRTHDAY LINDSAY! I LOVE YOU!
