Fog on the mirror

I was taken aback when I walked into my favorite taco place yesterday and saw the sign behind the counter that indicated that you had to be born before 1/6/90 in order be served beer. WHAT? People born in 1990 can drink? ahhhhhh...(long despairing sigh). I am so old.

I remember 1990 well. 1990 was the second half my Freshman year of high school. It was the conclusion of my first year as an "only child" because my older brother and sister were off in their Freshman year of college. This was the banner year that my mom finally bought Skippy peanut butter instead of the natural stuff where the oil rose to the top, and I had to get my knuckles all greasy trying to mix it up. In 1990 I had a perm, and braces, and a crush on Andrew Earle.

I was 15 years old in 1990, and it is inconceivable that people who were born when I was 15 are old enough to drink! I am not delusional. I see the stray gray hairs in the mirror. I stop in the cosmetics aisle at the grocery store for minutes on end pondering night-time eye cream and Retinol A. I am starting to think about wearing my sunglasses when I go outside in order to reduce squint time so that the "crow's feet" might "keep off". I even wish that for my whole life my nose hadn't wrinkled up when I smiled because I see nose-laugh-lines that I do not appreciate. Despite all of this, it seems like it should not be possible that people who were getting their umbilical cords cut when I was learning to drive a car are 21.

Woooooshhhhhhh! Did you hear that? It was my life, flying by. It goes so fast that it makes me think of the mirror after I take a shower. I can't even see myself because it is covered in fog. I get impatient. I think I will never be able to get ready for work because I need to see my reflection in order to do my make up. I consider using the blow-dryer to help the fog go away, or a towel, but before I can do either the fog is gone. Vanished just as quickly as it appeared. Leaving behind it no trace.

My life is the fog on the mirror. It came quickly, and will vanish suddenly. And you know what? I am (surprised to be) okay with that. Unlike the fog, I am leaving traces behind...in the lives of my children, in the back of my students' minds, in my diaries, and blogs, and letters to the President. I am getting older, and that shocks me. But as fog goes, mine is good! I adore my family, am pleased with my work, cherish my friends, and am happiest in my home. My foggy life is blessed, and my heart is glad.

Ecclesiastes 5:19-20
"Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work-this is a gift of God. He seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart."