It was a great plan, but....
I went to work this morning, determined to clean my office. After a busy couple of months, I have a little breather and it seems like a good time to start fresh with a nice clean, uncluttered office. But I didn't get very far. I'd put away one thing and someone would give me something else. Every little thing I tried to take care of turned into a big thing that needed lots of attention. Oh well, there's always tomorrow.
While I'm writing this, I am IM-ing with Toby and talking about Thanksgiving plans. It's amazing how computer technology has changed our way of doing things. Paul's mother e-mails and IM's with the kids and they think she's pretty cool. Of course, she gives them money, so they think that's pretty cool, too.
I've been listening to Anita Shreve's book " A Wedding in December" on my way to work. It's about a group of high school friends who come together when they are in their 40's to attend a wedding between two of them. One of them asks another "Are you capable of remembering who you thought you'd be when you were seventeen? Who you imagined you'd be in twenty-seven years time?" I've been thinking about that question on and off today. The simple answer would be that I thought I would be an art teacher, and that I'd be married with a couple of kids. But I'm not sure that's what the author means. She's asking "who" you would be, not what you would be doing. I think I have to think about this some more. It's hard to remember what I was thinking at 17 - it was soooo long ago. Any of you cousins have an answer? The closer you are to 17 the easier it should be.
That's it for now.
Betsy
While I'm writing this, I am IM-ing with Toby and talking about Thanksgiving plans. It's amazing how computer technology has changed our way of doing things. Paul's mother e-mails and IM's with the kids and they think she's pretty cool. Of course, she gives them money, so they think that's pretty cool, too.
I've been listening to Anita Shreve's book " A Wedding in December" on my way to work. It's about a group of high school friends who come together when they are in their 40's to attend a wedding between two of them. One of them asks another "Are you capable of remembering who you thought you'd be when you were seventeen? Who you imagined you'd be in twenty-seven years time?" I've been thinking about that question on and off today. The simple answer would be that I thought I would be an art teacher, and that I'd be married with a couple of kids. But I'm not sure that's what the author means. She's asking "who" you would be, not what you would be doing. I think I have to think about this some more. It's hard to remember what I was thinking at 17 - it was soooo long ago. Any of you cousins have an answer? The closer you are to 17 the easier it should be.
That's it for now.
Betsy
posted by Betsy at 10:21 PM
5 Comments:
Betsy, when I was 17 I only thought about what I would be. The thought of "who" I was never occured to me. It is ony with age that we begin to realize there is a difference between "what" we are and "who" we are. Our dreams, when we are young, are rapidly changed as we go through our adult lives. By the time we are 40, "who" we are becomes something we think about.
Having responsibilities, raising a family, and being more aware of the world around us brings about these changes. Its what it means to be mature. Its not easy, sometimes its called a "midlife crisis".
It slowly begins to pass and with that the recognition that it was never about what we are, but rather, who we are or the person we've become.
Well, sorry I climbed on the soapbox, but we've all been there at one time or the other.
This has been a very difficult week around here. On Sunday we had the funeral for Doris whipple, aka little Doris. Then last night Debbie and I went to the viewing of a long time friend and co-worker. It makes you think.
Oh Dana, I'm so sorry to hear about Doris. I hadn't heard. She was such a live wire and certainly added a spark to Sirois family gatherings over the years. Please pass on my sympathies to her family.
I agree with your thoughts about "who" we are, but would add that I think that the who we will become is certainly formed when we are young, though we aren't really aware of it. I do remember making certain decisions in high school, like not using drugs, and being friendly to kids not in my group, and taking an interest in family, that shaped the person I would become, but I didn't see it that way I guess. I just wanted to be a nice person, and not a dope.
Betsy
Well, so much for not being a dope! Haha, just kidding Mom, don't cut off my tuition money! When I was 17, I don't think I really thought about life not in high school (Yay, Indians, boo, Coyotes. Sorry, a little political inturruption, there). But, I think I'm pretty much the same person I was then. Maybe a few more life experiences have defined that a little more, but basically the same. I think I'm a little more confident around people, now. I have no idea who I'll be when I'm 40. Other than an old man ;)
Whoops, forgot to put my name on that. That's me, up above.
Dear Toby,
40 is not old, please don't rush it !
I'd love to be 40 again.
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