Last Saturday, Steve and I got to hang out with nine people between the ages of 13 and 30. It was an invigorating change to have the fresh air of youngness sweep through our oldish lives.
And just who made up this cast of young characters?
Well, it was Gage and Sarah, Gage’s five brothers, one brother’s wife, and another brother’s fiancée. Gage’s parents were here for a while too although they are just slightly older than the ages stated above. The big occasion was Gage’s 30th birthday party–a month after his actual birthday.
Sarah and Gage requested that the attendees “dress like Gage.” That basically meant bow ties, suspenders, hats, glasses, etc. Nick (the tall one) even went so far as to part his hair in the middle (like Gage) and carry a favorite book of Gage’s as part of his outfit.
Here are some of the attendees. This was right before they left so some of the clothing accoutrements had already been removed.
Sarah whipped up one of Gage’s favorite breakfast/brunch dishes: sweet potato and sausage hash. It was fabulous.
One interesting thing about the gathering was that Nick’s wife, Madelenn (who is due to give birth in two weeks), had a connection with us, even though we’d never met her before.
Many years ago, we partially recorded two of our albums at the studio her dad owns in Charlotte. The two recordings are part of the collection displayed in the den. Madelenn said she hung out around her dad’s studio a lot as a child and it’s possible our paths may have crossed long before she became my daughter’s sister-in-law.
It was so fun to celebrate!
Can’t you just feel that youthful energy in the air? Steve and I loved it.
Well, except for this particular couple. They didn’t seem to be having a very good time at all; in fact, they seemed to be in quite a frowny mood.
Thankfully, they got over it pretty quickly.
I made a card for Gage to celebrate his three decades of making this world a better place.
to see Sarah so at ease and comfortable with the family she gained through marriage. The brothers are always affectionally teasing her and she has a sweet relationship with her sister-in-law and sister-in-law-to-be. And Gage’s parents have made her feel welcome from the first moment they met her.
I am thankful for this younger generation and the time we got to spend with them. They are people of the highest quality with God-given dreams and talents. As Steve and I are fully ensconced in the last third of our lives, it’s wonderful to see people still in their first third, full of energy and ideas and all of life ahead.
that a person who lives to around 80 years old will live 4,000 weeks. It seems like so much less time when transposed from years to weeks.
In some ways, I was jealous of our houseful of young friends with so many weeks remaining on their scorecard. But then I have to remind myself that I was once that young and I was given the same amount of time. What have I done with the time?
For Steve and me, it was ministry and music. One of the highlights of those pursuits for me was being awarded the Grand Prize in songwriting by the Gospel Music Association.
Not the biggest prize ever awarded in music but it recognized the hundreds of hours I had spent honing my craft and it meant a lot to me.
I think of how my mom and dad spent their latter years, going to various rest homes and playing piano and guitar and singing hymns. One night after they had finished singing, a staff member from one of those homes unexpectedly presented them with a plaque thanking them for all that they had done to bring joy to the residents. (They called themselves The Joy Singers.)
Mom and Dad were so excited about that presentation and they called all of us kids to let us know the big news.
They had done something meaningful with their 4,000 weeks on earth; they had made a difference for people who were sometimes overlooked and forgotten.
It didn’t really matter if it was a GMA Award or a plaque from a small, Wisconsin rest home. The songs that I wrote touched people’s hearts; the songs that Mom and Dad sang touched people’s hearts.
And they are the ones who encouraged me in my music from the very beginning. Even though they are gone from this earth, the investment of their 4,000 weeks lives on in me.
The older I get, the more sobering the passing of the calendar days get. (Which reminds me of this post that I first wrote in 2009.)
Wherever you happen to be in your your 4,000 weeks, enjoy your day.
And whatever you do–make it count.
What about you?
What are your feelings about the way you’ve used the time you’ve been given?
Do you remember where you were and what you did on your 30th birthday?
What advice would you give to your younger self?
A very belated happy birthday to Gage! I honestly do not remember what I did on my 30th birthday. However I do remember thinking “Wow! Now that I’m thirty, I will get so much more respect than a twenty-something”. Isn’t that funny?? I was a mom with a seven-year-old and a five-year-old and I was working full time and so very busy. Life was a blur.
I’ve been alive for 3,435 weeks and I feel like I have lead by good example. My kids look up to me, my grandchildren adore me and my family loves me. I lead a good, clean Christian life which I enjoy immensely. I haven’t done anything really astounding in those 3,435 weeks but I am proud of the person I see in the mirror at the end of the day who is shy, generous, loving, humorous, witty and kind. My love language is cooking and feeding people and caring for people. I’ve done the smaller things like Girl Scout leader, Sunday School teacher, soccer coach, church board member multiple times, choir member.
Everyone has their own niche and talents. I’ve slowed down in the involvement department these days since we have moved. Looking for new ways to express ‘me’ is going to take time. 🙂
LeeAnne,
Working full-time with small kids? I know you must have felt like every day was just so crazy busy.
I love that you know exactly how many weeks you’ve been alive.
You’re so right. We don’t have to do astounding things in order to make a difference or like who we see in the mirror.
It sounds like you have invested those 3,435 weeks well. I have no doubt that your new “callings” will find you soon.
What a great birthday celebration! Happy (belated) Birthday celebrating to all!
I loved re-reading Where Seventeen Went. Similar to you and Steve, my husband and I were away for a time, but now back near our hometown. (Unlike you, my husband and I share our hometown.) Later today I will spend time with my in-laws, in the very house where I was awkwardly welcomed when I was seventeen, and their little boy was 16. Who was this older “woman” showing an interest in their son, giving him rides to band practice when he didn’t yet have his license?! My in-laws are now in their mid 80s, and awkward is no longer the vibe. Pictures of shared grandkids grace their walls. My husband and I are now Grandma and Grandpa, and the in-laws are the Greats! Nothing shows the passing of time like being in that familiar home, experiencing the changing roles, and embracing the depth of love fostered through all the years. Haha! Who would have thought 45 years ago that they would someday give me a key to their home and I would be doing their laundry?!
My dad lives in a nearby care home. One group of musicians that visit monthly play songs they know my dad loves. After my mom died, my dad asked if they could play Jim Croce’s “Time in a Bottle.” The small group worked up the song, and now play it for my dad on most visits. I need to make that group an award like your folks received! There is no other famous artist or group that has touched us as much as those local musicians. I am so grateful to Joy(ful) Singers everywhere!
What’s the award for writing? A Pulitzer? Well, you deserve one, Becky. Thank you for blessing readers like me, with your thoughts/reminders of the truly important things in life. I never really had big visions of how I might change the world. But as I get older, almost to 3,172 weeks (61 years), I’m just fine with the path of my past, and the path that I’m on. Slow and steady, looking around to help others, accepting help, and being mostly kind!
Ann,
What a great comment! I love it when my readers take time to write at some length; it helps me get to know you.
It’s funny we both entered our future in-law’s home when were were just seventeen! And yes, I’m sure they raised their eyebrows that you were an “older woman.” 🙂
As you know, it is such a joy to be able to return to a home that you have been familiar with for many decades. So many things are changing in the world; it’s a comfort when a piece of dirt and the floors and walls built on it stay (mostly) the same.
I love that the group that visits your dad’s nursing home learned Time in a Bottle for him. I can only imagine the smile on his face whenever he hears it. Kudos to them for taking the extra time and trouble to do that, knowing it would make an elderly gentleman’s day. Practicing kindness (as you said in your closing line) is one of the greatest things we can do.
I’m glad that in this, your 3,172th week, you are finding joy and fulfillment in your life–on the path of your past and the path you’re on. Hugs!
The thing I remember about my 30th birthday is my husband & I had just celebrated our 1st wedding anniversary 11 days prior and we were living in metro Atlanta. Your post reminds me of the conversation my husband and I had last night and how we felt that 63 “isn’t near as old as it seemed 30 years ago” and that neither of us thought of ourselves as “old”.
I love the personalized card you created for Gage. Hope you have a wonderful week.
Sue Ellen,
You must have felt very grown-up living in metro Atlanta as a young adult.
I know when I was much younger, people in their fifties and sixties seemed quite aged. Not so much anymore. 🙂
Very late Happy Birthday Gage. You certainly do have a classy way of dressing. Reminds me of those that dressed up in the old cruise ships. You would have fit right in. Great pictures. Yes, many of your songs have touched my heart. What a great honor!
Sharyn,
Yes, I could see Gage on an old-timey cruise ship. For his background music at the party he wanted big band music from several decades ago. It suited the vibe perfectly.
I’m thankful I’ve had the chance to write songs over the years; it’s been one of my greatest joys. And you’re one of my few readers who actually heard them in person!
What a fun party for Gage.
I often wonder if what I have done with my time is enough or worthwhile.
I remember my 30th as I was asked to baby sit some longtime friends. I thought it was a set up for a surprise party. Much to my surprise, I just babysat and they didn’t even know it was my birthday! The next year on my 31st I did have friends surprise me with a birthday dinner out.
I would advise my younger self to reach out to others more, have fun, and don’t worry so much…
Patti,
Oh my. I felt so bad for you reading your story about your 30th birthday. What a bummer to get all excited about a surprise birthday only to have it turn into regular ol’ babysitting. It makes me feel better that you had a surprise for your next birthday.
I have had the same feelings as you looking back at my life at what I have done. You’re not alone in feeling that way but I also believe you have made more of a difference you think!
I love this! How wonderful for Gage to have his family around him to celebrate his 30th year!
The outfits were spot on and so creative. And your card was just perfect and so well done–very Gage-y!
I’m sure you and Steve feel very youthful now that you have hung out with the young and the cool ones. 😎 And it makes me so happy that Sarah has such a great second family–such a gift.
Your song writing is truly amazing. There are particular songs you’ve done that still soothe the sore places in my heart. Why you and Steve’s music is not better known is a mystery to me. I keep believing that there will be a day when someone somewhere in high places of the music industry will hear your material and snap it up! This hurting world needs more soul feeding music like yours.
Love, Deb
Thanks Deb! But really all that I did was to “fix the truck!” 😝
Ha! Well, you always fixed the truck well and you do music well and anything else you put your hand too. In other words, you’re disgustingly talented!
Don’tcha know? 😎
Deb, he is a talented guy, for sure!
Deb,
Yes, Steve and I have gotten our infusion of youthfulness to last us for a little while. It really was fun hanging out with that age group for a change.
Thanks for your words of encouragement; you are always a generous-hearted cheerleader.
I like your line about “the sore places in your heart.” All of us have those; so thankful for all the ways (including music) that God brings his healing. Love you!