Her question confused me at first.
We were sitting on the floor putting a puzzle together, and Addie Sue looked up at me with her big eyes and asked, “Nonnie, what were you when you weren’t so old?”
I thought it would take a long time to try to answer that question, but I gave her what I thought she was looking for in my short answer.
I told her:
I started out little, like you. I was five years old once upon a time. I liked to swing, play with paper dolls (I had to explain), and ride my tricycle. Then I got older and older and grew up. I got older and got married to Poppy. Then we had a little baby, your daddy. He was five like you, too, once upon a time. Then he grew up and got married to your mama. They had a little baby, YOU, and now here you are with me!
When I was five, I was like you are. I could sit on the floor easily, play all day, and loved to visit my grandpa’s house. I liked to color and draw. I loved to play outside with my friends.
“OK,” she said and smiled. I guess I did ok answering that huge question she asked. I’m still not sure.
Many people say they feel young inside, even though when they look in the mirror an old person stares back at them. Who is that? The person in our heart and mind doesn’t always match the reflections we see of ourselves.
My mama was full of “sayings.” Here is one that I understand much better today than when she said it: “When my medicine costs more than my makeup, I’m done!”
Have you reflected lately on all the changes you have gone through, the experiences, the hardships, the joys, the struggles, and the blessings you have received over your life so far?
Some folks don’t like to remember. They want to forget because the past is too full of pain and unresolved anger. They don’t want to go through any of that again.
Others remember an idyllic childhood and life. Perhaps they have rewritten their lives to suit themselves. I knew a lady like that. She told different stories of her life, different versions, to various people she met. Interesting.
But, we feel the changes in our bodies. The ache in the knees, the shoulders that complain when you use them too much, the eyes that need help seeing.
The constant in my life of change, pain, discovery, and joy has been God. Isaiah 46:4 says, “Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.”
And so, we continue to put our puzzle together.
