Ah, April, I’ve waited a long time for your arrival. Right after the New Year makes its debut, I’m ready for you! Sunshine, flowers pushing through the ground, the greening of the grass, even the outside air is fragrant when you appear. Just don’t run off like you often do after enticing us with the season’s beauty. Once we welcome you, it’s not nice to leave us shivering. Stay awhile, and don’t let your cohort, Sizzling Summer, take over. Spring shouldn’t be rushed.
I’m an ardent fan of springtime. May is my birth month, April my wedding anniversary, and I gave birth to a daughter just four days after my 29th birthday. When I was in grade school and birthdays were celebrated monthly in the cafeteria at lunchtime, there were few kids celebrating in May with me. As with many childhood situations, I longed for what all the other kids had, in this case a birthday in a different month, but as an adult, I love the timing of my birthday. And while Spring fever may not be included in medical journals, I firmly believe it exists.
Even the number of candles on my cake doesn’t diminish my enthusiasm. I never understand why people quit celebrating birthdays. Whether I celebrate or not, I’m still the same age. It’s much more enjoyable to usher in another year with friends and family and all the hoopla allowed a birthday celebrant.
While age doesn’t concern me, it’s one factor I have no control over, it has occurred to me that my lifestyle isn’t necessarily reflecting the youthful exuberance I feel in my heart. Recent visits with my adult children and some of my much younger friends have made me aware of certain aging components in my lifestyle. Nothing major, perhaps, but I always thought I’d be in the forefront of keeping abreast of new ideas. Instead, I am lagging farther and farther behind.
Anyone who knows me knows my lack of technological knowledge. So many terms to learn, and so many devices to recognize. I’m looking to downsize not add to my possessions. I don’t need to be in touch with everyone at a moment’s notice. I like quiet and solitude mixed with email and Facebook. My cell phone and computer are must haves although I don’t text or twitter. Communication is vital to me, but it doesn’t have to be instant. I write notes and letters and love receiving both. Telephone books, newspapers, books, magazines, an actual paper address book, a checkbook, all these are part of my life, much to the amusement of others. (I also use an iron, wear a watch that tells me only the time and that I must wind, and still use a VCR.)
Just realized after visiting family in Nashville, even my coffee maker is obsolete. I still brew pots of coffee while others are selecting pricey little pods. My morning jolts of java probably added considerably to my hosts’ grocery budget.
The solution to this antiquated style of living? I’m not sure, given my lack of personal dissatisfaction. But every spring I’m energized and ready for a fresh do over. New season, new start. Maybe my opportunity lies in selling VCR and cassette tapes, and telephone directories at a spring garage sale!