Feeling My Age

I've been thinking a bit about getting older, and not just because another birthday thwapped me on the back of the head. I turned 44 on December 26. I'm not upset about it, either. I like it. It's a matched pair of 4's, and 4 is my lucky number. I have embraced my 40's and I'm loving them. So far, so good, and I'm liking this much better than my 20's or 30's. Well, as long as I stay away from mirrors as I step out of the shower I like being in my 40's. The physical decline aside, I like being older and smarter. I had my first-born when I was 26, and then my second when I was 28. For a good number of years I was dealing with small children and had a hectic life. I have teenagers now. They really are pretty independent. I can come and go from the house whenever I feel like, and I can go ALONE. Every now and then I catch a glimpse of my next door neighbor strapping her two children into car seats in order to set out on an overland expedition to the grocery store, and I smile. I like the teenage years better. There are a lot of folks out there who dread having teens, but I'm enjoying it.

I'm feeling the march of time more acutely not because of my own advancement, but mostly because the Monkey Prince is getting older. He will turn 18 in April. I'm very ready for it, and I know he is, too. Every day some other little episode just points toward the threshold of his adulthood -- at least by civil law standards. Our health insurance provider recently sent out cards for him to carry. He had a dental checkup, and scheduled his next checkup for himself. He'll be 18 and won't need me to accompany him anymore. His cell phone contract is soon to expire, and guess what.... I'm not renewing it! He's a little miffed about that, but when given the choice to pay the $1600 or so for his car insurance or the lower cell phone bill, he backed down very quickly.

And now he's brought a girlfriend home. I know that lots of kids date well before age 18. In fact, the Princeling was given official permission to date at the age of 16, an age which is still considered prehistoric by many of his friends. But he never complained, and in fact, age 16 came and went. He had girlfriends, but no one exclusive, at least to my knowledge. But he must like the young lady he brought home to visit us this week. He's certainly never brought a girl home before, and he's got a very different "air" about him. He has a silly little grin whenever we mention her, and his face indeed lights up. I have to admit that I was a little nervous at first, but the overwhelming feeling I have is pride. This truly is a step toward adulthood. He seems so grown up, and his young lady is very sweet and charming . . . and I might add, properly dressed. If he had brought home a girl in a mini skirt, crop top, and hooker shoes, I might not be so calm.

I have to say that I'm quite pleased. Time marches on, and I'm enjoying the parade.