I hope everyone had a safe and happy 4th of July!!!
For our family, the holiday means an evening at the City of Waco's fireworks show. One of the things that Waco prides itself on is it's historic Suspension Bridge. Each year thousands of people line this bridge, along with the other nearby bridges, and the banks of the Brazos River, while a live band plays at nearby Indian Spring Park. Below the bridges, on the river, is a different story. This is where you'll find us, along with dozens of others who choose to watch the display from the comforts of boats.
We always borrow my brother's pontoon boat for this occasion, and it's a very pleasant, lazy ride down the river. This year we had a small group: Dave & I, our youngest son, my dad, a friend of our oldest son, and one of her friends who we had never met before. My dad, I should mention, is 78 years old, with a wonderful sense of humor.
This year's band was playing disco, and I won't interject my opinion on that, *ACK*... okay, I lied, but still... that was enough to set the two teenage girls on our boat to dancing! These two literally danced the boat un-anchored several times, to the enjoyment of everyone around. As the sun set, the boaters spotlights starting coming on, which only served to bring out the show-off in both of them. One of the girls, Kristy, made several successful dives off of the boat, doing flips and drawing applause from all around. Needless to say, my dad was enjoying every minute of it!!!
As I sat talking to the new girl as if we've known each other forever, and watching my dad interact with the group, I started thinking about that fabled "generation gap". I've never experienced this gap that I had heard so much about as a child. I've SEEN it, and met people who seem to live in the gap, and it's actually very sad. We've all heard, "talk to your children", but how many actually do this? I've had so many kids at my house who don't trust their elders and yet come out of their shell to tell me everything they know!
I think the secret is that I remember being their age.
Also I think it has to do with "the view".
I don't know how to explain it other than to say that for most, the view from inside your face never changes. Personally I still see my too long nose and that little bit of hair off to the left that is there no matter what. These are the little things that you don't actually notice, that you take for granted.
The view is always the same, except when one of those awful mirrors gets in the way. UGH! We won't go there!!
It doesn't seem to matter what age groups are together, we all talk like we are the same age. This is a gift that I wish could be shared with the world! The gift of just looking out of your own face and being yourself. There's a time and a place for being the mom, the daughter, etc. And that time is NOT "all the time". I think that is where the generation gap rears it's ugly head, when we forget how to be ourselves. When we forget to see the view from our own faces.
Learn to enjoy YOUR view.
(Even if you have to get rid of every mirror in the house!)
If, like me, you suffer from depression or anxiety disorder, and you aren't seeking treatment, you're missing your own life! There are tons of treatment options if you just seek them out.
If you came here before reading the Letter from the Editors, please CLICK HERE
The results to last month's poll are in! The overwhelming majority of the 8 people who voted agree... we aren't sure what our natural hair color is! GO US!!!
