+ In some ways I haven’t changed the way I see the world. Well, yes, of course I have aged and seen too many things up close. I don’t refer to my time in the nursing field, working an emergency room, but I mean living. I spent much of my twenties as that person who always thought it would be better somewhere else, hoping I would find what I was looking for in another city. Trouble was I never knew what I was looking for, without that I could never find it. After literally going from one coast to coast, living six months to years in a multitude of states and cities I made the discovery that a town or city is what you make it.
Don’t get me wrong, I had a blast in the process. After changing my major more often than a prom queen changes her clothing, I finally dropped out. I waited tables and then bartended for a long time. I could go from one place to another and always find work. I even had insurance most of the time. I met thousands of people in my travels, almost as many as I have met working in the same emergency room for over 15 years. Hell, I walk through the mall nowadays and everyone looks familiar.
I have had roommates galore and my share of love interests. I learned to live alone and enjoy that time, without feeling like I had to have someone entertain me. My only child was stillborn at full term. That makes me a mom, but not. I finally went back to school and took my degree in nursing. Even as an ICU nurse I traveled.
My head feels young. My head thinks even the young boys are cute. I love to learn the most current slang, I have to laugh, because I almost said cant. (I’m working on a historical romance.) I love music of all kinds and I usually end up lending out my music to my nephews and nieces. My head is full of ideas and thoughts that are young and I don’t understand how anyone can think I’m older, even when I’m putting on my hair color to cover the gray.
I tell my friends that the way to stay young is to be immature. When someone tries to pin you down; when they define you to the point that they can put you in the proverbial box and label it, then you have been aged. My foundation is rock solid, but my views change with life and every new experience. I am still open to fresh ideas and my POV can change if you are very compelling in you argument.
What keeps me young? Interacting with the real world can age you or keep you young. Reading keeps me young. I can be as young or as old as I want. Sure I want books about people my age, but I love books about women in their twenties and thirties too. I love being on board space ships or sparring words with Were creatures. I love to read. I love to write. I am never embarrassed by what I read. As an adult I have responsibilities to many people. I have a responsibility to be me, and keeping my mind in the now and new keeps me young. In my own head anyway.
What keeps you young?
