Twenty-something

My parents are wise people. My mom knows a lot about insurance and health care and medical things and grammar and cooking and sewing and gardening and organ playing. My dad could fix anything. Ok I'm exaggerating..but no, I'm really not. Have a broken lawn mower or laptop or remote-controlled car or light socket? He is probably working with one of these things right now. Literally, right now. 

But oh, it doesn't stop there. My parents are loving, oh so loving, and generous, oh so generous. They have hearts that love to help and hands that love to serve. That I appreciate them is an understatement. 

Recently I have read a lot of articles addressed to twenty-somethings. Most of them address the disillusionment of adult life, and encourage young people that they will actually accomplish all that they hope to-they just might have to pay a few dues first and earn some "street cred". While there is some truth to this, it saddens me that we think of young adult life (and most everything prior) as if it is merely a step to the real deal, or but a means to get to something better. In other words, the life we twenty-somethings are living right now isn't really life, because it does not involve the fruition of our dreams.

I am learning right now to be thankful for this twenty-something phase. Not because I think ahead to all the money I will make because of the so-so jobs I am taking right now, but because I am living life right now. I can call my dad and tell him that I researched how to "troubleshoot" the ice maker in our fridge because it's broken, and then thank him for teaching me the meaning of "troubleshoot". I can tell my mom that in-between projects I got up and did a load of laundry and took out the trash because that is what I always watched her do with her work breaks. I can be thankful that I learned how to change the headlights in my car, and to fix the microwave handle, and to furnish an apartment, and to cook honey orange chicken. I can be grateful for the process of making different versions of my resume and going through several interview processes and paying rent. 

Twenty-somethings- What if these things were celebrated instead of brushed off as tasks that are meaningless givens? What if we were encouraged by these new experiences instead of being disappointed that we have not arrived (and what does this even mean?) If you have never paid bills, or mowed the lawn, or cooked anything without using a microwave, then gee, why be disappointed in yourself for not knowing how? Learn. You will, and good for you. Gaining life experience has become a subject of shame..but why? "You're not a child anymore, you should know how to..." Remember hearing this at the beginning of every school year? Don't get me wrong, I'm all about age appropriateness, but rarely have we been encouraged that it is okay to have to learn how to live life well.

As honorable as it may seem to claim independence, there is still a lot that I have to learn and a lot that I have no clue about. Yet, I am encouraged as I remember that this process is indeed life, not a step closer to it. 

So, here's to you mom and dad. Your 28th wedding anniversary just celebrated (woooo!!!!) is but another reason why I am so thankful to be your daughter. In certain ways I am becoming just like both of you-and I'm really okay with that. Thanks for not taking what you know for granted, and for being excited for me as I acquire more of it for myself. Most assuredly, you can expect phone calls where I inquire of your recipes or caulking techniques. We live in a world where this isn't cool, and a sign of immaturity. May it never be.

D+D you are loved and oh so cherished. I may be a twenty-something, but I am still your youngest :)