Keeping Up (Whew!)

I will be age 59 when my youngest graduates high school.

Technically, that’s old enough to be his grandmother. Somebody’s grandmother. I have a friend my age who just became a grandmother. And I have a 3-year old.

Yes, I’m one of those parents. Old.

Hubby and I were married 10 years before welcoming our first child. No particular reason, we just waited. And when we started trying, it took a little time.

In a single day, my age was proven 3 times.

1. I rose from my office desk, only to stop. I was forced to adjust my hip joint as it went out of whack. And then had to explain the loud pop to my cubicle neighbor.
2. I had to ask my colleague to blow up the Word doc on her laptop so I could read the text. Otherwise, I would have had to crawl in her lap to see it.
3. That night, a tiny piece of my front bottom tooth chipped off. WHAT??!? I’m pretty sure the soft burrito wasn’t to blame.

I’m falling apart. Where’s my proof of purchase? Can I trade parts like Wall-e? There’s still so much I want to do. I have a 3-year old, for goodness sake. How am I going to keep up with him?

Physically keeping up is one thing; mentally is another. I had hoped that with age came experience, wisdom, and insight. But there’s so much about today’s world that I don’t understand. And I’m not sure how helpful my “wisdom” will be when I don’t know what I will end up seeing in this world…and what my kids will deal with.

Let’s face it, there are scary things out there. Of the human-kind. But I’m not treading that water, because that ocean’s too vast and deep.

So let’s look at just one aspect – technology. I can barely keep up with tweets, instagrams, and snapchats. What will it be like in 5, 10, 15 years? (In case you’re interested, here’s a cheat sheet of the top-used social media – http://www.adweek.com/socialtimes/social-media-user-cheat-sheet/501627 – which I’m sure is already out of date!)

Technology brings so much into our homes, and not always what we need or want. At this age, I’m still trying to protect their innocence, give them a sense of security and comfort. Focus on teaching them values, beliefs, and morals to counteract the violence and hatred in the world.

Putting it into perspective, I should worry less about me growing older, and more about the outside world that is changing minute by minute.

I’m pretty sure my kids will forgive me if I can’t run around the bases without gasping for breath. I also hope they show patience as they try to teach me how to use the latest technology…maybe my new ApplePants where I surf the web with pocket sensors and view through a transparent eye patch. Just saying.

It’s not that far off. I read about a new smart garment that takes your measurements and uploads it to a website to ensure you’ll order the clothing size you need. It’s called LikeAGlove. Hopefully, it doesn’t talk, too. As you’re surfing a trendy shopping site, click on a pair of capris that look fabulous on the pictured model, and hear from your SmartPants, “Oh, honey, you’ll never fit into those.” 🙂

I can’t count on keeping up with technology. What I can count on is keeping up with my kids…through my heart. What will matter is how well I listen to their worries, how warm my hugs are, how much I care about what’s happening in their lives – and how the world impacts that – and how I securely plant them in God’s love.

We have no idea what the future holds. But God does. There is good around every corner of bad. He won’t give up on us, so I won’t give up on him. I must rely on him for the wisdom and truth I – and my kids – will desperately need as times change.

     If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God,
who gives generously to all without finding fault,
and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you
must believe and not doubt, because the one who
doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed
by the wind. 
                                       James 1:5-6

In the meantime, I’m connecting to my busy boys’ hearts through play. I’m building (and crawling under) tents in the living room, riding bicycles up our inclined driveway (and welcoming going down), and dancing barefoot in the living room to the soundtrack of Home (despite my toddler stepping on me).

I’m getting in as much playtime now as I can. Before my pants tell me to get my butt off the floor because I’ll crack a hip!