Like fine wine…
by ChristaWells
On Monday I turned 37.
(That’s me, second from the right, the day Mandy came home.)
This is nearly impossible to fathom, because wasn’t it last week I was celebrating my 12th birthday in Kaiserslautern, Germany? Weren’t we riding the train, my aunt and grandmother and two girlfriends and I, trying on new clothes in the closed compartment, giggling and squealing, “I LOVE everything I bought!”
The day after that, I was celebrating 18, with a houseful of friends in the suburbs of Chicago, days before leaving for college.
And then, just hours ago, I was a newlywed and waking to 21 in our first house…
I’m quite sure that was NOT 16 years ago…
And I’m quite sure that these days, in the music industry,
it is a dreadful mistake to admit your age in a blog post.
But I think it’s time we tell the truth. We who are ripening like wine and finding our voice “late.” :)
Listen up. I’m going to be bold. What I’m about to say may not be true for everyone, but it’s true for me, and MAYBE some of you babes will find hope for your wrinkly futures in hearing it.
Despite the obvious pleasantries of youth (plump skin, anticipation of first experiences)…
I like these years gathering behind me.
I relish the increasing FREEDOM I feel (contrary to pop culture, I am far more free in my 30s than in my youth).
I understand now that I have something to share, and an obligation to do so…truths that have been told to me in time and experience. And that none of the work is ABOUT me. This is incredibly liberating.
I’m learning to live and more importantly, learning to die and let go of things that only weigh down. This is a lifelong journey…
Learning to understand myself, and all of us, not in terms of our talents or looks or relationships or belongings or achievements or personality–frankly, all things which can be taken away—but in Christ alone.
I enjoy increased connectedness with ALL people, regardless of age. The numbers matter FAR less. (Remember when you were 18 and though 24 was over the hill?)
Best of all, hunger for personal gain lessens, thirst for knowledge grows, and we realize that the nearer we get to Him, God becomes only more magnificent.
Don’t be afraid of turning 25. Or 30 or 40 (okay, I’ll admit I’m not quite feeling that one yet) or 80.
We need more people going ahead of us in JOY and WISDOM and GRACE, clearing the path and pointing out the beauties.
I like it better when the voice is stronger and truer, with many years of experience behind than when the voice is too young and not ready. I think we often overlook the later bloomers who often times have much more wisdom to offer. I’m so glad that I found you, and I think this post is beautiful.
happy birthday!
Awesome Christa, I just love everything you said. And it does seem like just yesterday I was 12, too.
Totally agree, Christa. I was just telling someone yesterday, my birthday just passed the 22nd, that I would prefer 34 to 33. Older is better if accompanied with wiser, more thoughtful, clearer perspectives. I’m enjoying it, and looking forward to passing it on.
Thanks for sharing, and happy Birthday!
Love this, Christa! You really should consider writing as a career or at least a serious hobby
Time flies by so quickly and it seems like it’s going even faster these days. I’ve never really had issues with getting older … quite possibly because Jeff is ahead of me and by the time I turned, say 37, he was already past it and it wasn’t such a scary number after all. (He’ll be 40 next month, by the way).
I think some people probably think we’re crazy for JUST NOW starting to have kids. Maybe we are, but I feel so much more prepared now than I did at a younger age. I like where we are!
Happy Birthday!
Great, great post, Christa. I’m a few years ahead of you (but *only* a few, LOL), and every sentiment you expressed resonated with me. This is one I’ll print and post on my bathroom mirror…a reminder for those days when I’m not feeling quite as hopeful and optimistic and *young*.
Happy Birthday!!
Thanks, chicas, for responding sympathetically!
I love to know I’m in good company. We’re just getting started…and I also like to remember that although decay does happen here and all of us are in the physical “dying” process from our youth on, it is only temporary death…after this we WILL be fully restored for good.