Just Yesterday

By

It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon as we drove to the neighborhood where I was raised.  It’s only 15 minutes from where we live now, but in some ways it seems so far away.

And a lot has changed. The hobby shop where I bought arts and crafts for school projects is now a hair salon, the candy store on the corner is a pizza place, the movie theater a 99-cent store and the florist shop an apartment house. 

But when we got to the six-family building where I grew up (second floor, on the right-hand side), time vanished. I saw myself playing hopscotch, riding my banana bike with the sparkly purple seat and roller skating with Maria downstairs and Renate next door.

I thought about what could have happened in my life but didn’t. I always loved to read and write. What if I had used those skills and joined the school newspaper?Would my life be any different today? My mother and I battled over the silliest things. What if I had used my skill at quick retorts in another way – by joining the debate club.

And then I smile as I glance over at Kevin and think what if I had said no to our mutual friend Maryann when she showed me the picture of the cute guy she wanted me to meet?

The choices I made in that building created my story. 

Our last stop was the Carvel ice cream shop—at last, something familiar from the old neighborhood!  The counter looks exactly as it did when I was ten and getting vanilla cones with chocolate sprinkles along with Maria and Renate.  I smile at the memory of our stained shirts, sticky hands and sprinkles on our faces.  Our only worry were planning the next fun thing to do.

Kevin said I looked a bit silly as I ordered my medium size vanilla cone with chocolate sprinkles.  The young man behind the counter warned it was quite large and my response of "I CAN HANDLE IT" came out far too excited for a 56-year-old woman.   I knew the smaller cone was a mature choice, but just for now, I didn’t want to act grown up!

I have heard it said that youth is wasted on the young, but I disagree.  Young people know how to have fun. Young people drop whatever they are doing to have fun whenever possible. Maybe adults need to use the wisdom learned with age but still find time for silly, joyous moments like having an ice cream cone that might be just a bit too big.

I’ve gone through a lot of changes since I lived in that apartment building, and I appreciate all the things I have accomplished. I am not an author or a famous person, but I always find myself drawn to either writing or telling a story. My schedule is filled with volunteering, socializing with friends, exercising, constantly looking for new experiences and even returning to work.  Back at our home, I smile as I hear the cute guy rattling around in our kitchen and I thank goodness for all the choices I made. 

My goal moving forward is to do my best to enjoy every step of my third chapter.  At the age of 56 I am beginning a new job; I plan on continuing to share my stories, to remain laughing and keep learning new things as I go through each day I am privileged to live.

Donna Ryan, a frequent contributor to ThirdAge, is the founder and editor of the blog www.50plusstickingtogether.com.