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July 08, 2007

The end of an era

Some things you live through and immediately move past them. Others make you think you've come to a full stop in your life, somehow freezing passing seconds as you stand there grasping the moment, digesting it. You are left contemplating the possibilities of what now lies ahead and weighing past events, baggage if you will, that you carry with you.

As I approach the 30 (years of age) mark, I got to thinking about the line that should divide my life before and after this date, which happens to be, time after time, the very last day of the year. I realized there was none. I remembered how life is made up of the big and small, and even the events you don't remember make you who you are and are no less important than those you never forget. So today I had to remind myself to be grateful for the things I already have under my belt because engaging in lengthy house projects, getting wrapped up on week after week of work or just dealing with the nuisance of traffic at 8 o'clock in this city can make you temporarily lose sight of much more important stuff or at least prevent you from fully enjoying them.

So yes, I'm basically excited to be entering a more grown-up decade, it means something when I say my age out loud and confirm my status as a twenty-something and I know I'll inadvertently expect some kind of change, even if it's secretly giggling to myself, now that I begin to say, "Hello, my name is Greta and I'm a thirty-something". Maybe I'll even start to believe I should know better. However, I am very fond of the years that have made up my twenties and I know I'll miss them dearly, but kind of like you miss your school years: they were great and who knows where you'd be without them but you wouldn't go back. I guess I'm looking forward to finding out what's behind door number 3.

7 comments:

Unknown said...

Grets...no worries...the 30s are THE BEST! I'll be welcoming you with open arms. :)

Anonymous said...

Greta, we are in the same boat. I too will be turning 30 this year, just a few months before you and I feel like it is a big deal. The passage of time scares me to a certain extent because they are moments we will never get back, but then you realize how much each and every experience you encounter shapes the person you continue to evolve into. I recently noticed that sometimes we got so caught up in our own little world that before we realize it a special moment has flown past and we can't really remember what it is we did. So now I try very hard to take, even if just one mintute, to stop what I am doing, take a deep breathe and take a mental picture of the moment and truly savour it so that when I file it away in my mind I can recollect it with ease later. I feel like my memories will be richer. Every year that passes I feel shocked at how quickly they come and go but then I think back to everything that happened in that year and I feel so thankful. Sorry about the looooong comment but I just totally identified with this post!

Greta Earle said...

wait, let me get the hanky girls (ok, blame it on the hormones...)

thanks to both.

Anonymous said...

:) Another comforting thought: we are all growing older together, you ain't alone sister :)

Unknown said...

Sister? This is new (for me). Boy, things sure change while you are away. I'm particularly glad about this particular change, though.

Talking about change, Greta, Heidi's right: The 30's are the best. That goes for you too Mich.

Just remember one thing: the only thing that actually changes the day you get to be thirty (or 40, 50, etc.) is the way others (or even yourself) look at you. You are in fact just one day older and your life normally wouldn't change in just one day.

As my beloved Heidi put it, you girls will be welcome in the club. Dayra is also applying for membership and she's just as concerned as you about the big event.

Anonymous said...

are you guys bloggin or sobbing?

Greta Earle said...

this last comment was Gustavo's, by the way...

very funny baby! thanks for dropping by! no pierdas el camino!