I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately and I just want it down on record……I sincerely think that after you’ve reached a certain age (now I’m not saying exactly what that age is), you should be allowed, without consequences, to NOT follow every rule. Like maybe I could Jay Walk without getting a ticket. Why must I go to the crosswalk when there’s absolutely nothing coming in either direction just to cross the street? Just think about it……for the majority of your life you’ve had someone telling you what to do, when to do it, why to do it, what happens when you don’t do it, and for the most part, at least for me anyway, I have been pretty compliant with all those crazy rules for a great many years…..I’ve endured all the admonishment…..“You can’t stand here”, “you can’t park here” – damn it LEAVE ME ALONE!!! I think I’ve earned the right to reevaluate those rules and decide which of the countless rules I should follow and which ones are just about someone else’s control issues. After all, I think I deserve to have some fun and following the rules, although expedient, is NOT ALWAYS FUN. I think you make exceptions for this little old lady. I’m downright tired of thinking of everyone else – what they need, when they need it – BY GOSH I’ve got needs too. Who cares about what I need? What about considering what I want for a change! So I woke up one morning singing to the top of my lungs that old familiar song “It’s My Turn” by Diana Ross.
“It’s my turn
To see what I can see
I hope you’ll understand
This time’s just for me
Because it’s my turn
With no apologies
I’ve given up the truth
To those I’ve tried to please
But now it’s my turn”
So what if I took all the little money I’d saved and took a few trips. I needed to see that brand new grandbaby in all her glory. I spent an entire week holding her as I got adjusted to that new role in life – grandma (although I’m refusing to let her call me that). I’m officially nana (pronounced nah nah), I’d never been to the midwest before and at least now I can say that I went. Shortly thereafter I packed my bags and was off to Switzerland. I was literally on top of the world!!!!! Looking down at the expansive hills of the alps and trying as hard as I could to enjoy the view while hanging on to a bench for dear life. I looked around and I saw all these seasoned seniors hiking the trails and while I’m not quite in that category yet, there I was firmly planted on a bench. But at least I can say that I “made it to the mountain top!” Thought I might reach heaven that day. Oh the places I could go…….I took a train and went to France – first the southern portion and then to Paris where I’d always longed to go. All those beautiful photos I’d seen as a child of the Eiffel Tower, the Champs-Elysees, The Seine river, the Arch de Triumph dimmed in comparison to the vibrancy of color and detail in real life. I even went to the Louvre and saw the Notre Dame. Paris reminded me somewhat of New York with the crowds and hustle and bustle of things. The subways were very convoluted and it seemed that you had to go up to go down and around and through. I barely left Paris alive. They make no provisions for people who are, should I say, “not as young as they used to be”. I managed to see all those things in the span of 24 hours. Somehow I managed to get back home for a short respite. Had to re energize and then was off again. This time to a much warmer climate. Nothing compares to the sunsets and sunrises of beautiful St. Thomas. I layed on the beach and put my feet in the water which was so warm and clear. I even immersed my entire body in the water at will enjoying the warmth of the sea from early morning to late at night as much and as often as I desired. Although St. Thomas is very hilly, the beaches are a heaven sent. Not once did I worry about what I shouldn’t eat although I confess that I did get up and run on the beach shoreline two mornings. I ate bread and french fries and I even had an Amaretto sour one night!!
I’m thankful for all the mundane things in my life, there’s a certain amount of comfort I get just approaching the driveway. Above all, it’s always great to come home and sleep in my own bed surrounded by my own things. And maybe I’ll just have to follow the rules for a while but it sure is good to deviate from the norm every now and then.
“The world is not yet exhausted; let me see something tomorrow which I never saw before” ….Samuel Johnson