Monday, November 2, 2009

When do we stop?

Stop being a kid at heart?

Stop doing the little things that define each holiday like carving pumpkins or coloring Easter Eggs?

I still try to bully everyone to do these things every year because, somehow, by letting go of those little defining traditions I feel like I am letting little bits and pieces of myself atrophy and die. And I always want to do them with the people I love the most.

I remember coercing (in a nice way, of course) one of my elderly Aunt's to hunt for Easter eggs one year. I will always remember her little wrinkly face alive with childlike joy as she hobbled with her cane across the yard in pursuit of treasures.

This Halloween my Dad came over to carve pumpkins with the Granddaughters and my husband and I.

Dad is 80 years old. He said he can't remember carving a pumpkin in 50 years.

It was so fun!

Watching his face light up and his joy in scooping out the seeds.

It seems crazy that it has been so long since he did this.

But now, when I look at these pictures it seems like the look on everyones faces as they carved their masterpieces was the same, really.





Nothing much different between the three year old, the sixty year old, or the eighty year old.

And it made me determined.

It made me determined to continue doing these things long after anyone does them with me. And doing them even if everyone thinks it is childish and silly.

I will be the solitary, wizened old woman with forgotten glasses on top of my head wearing my Ohio State socks and no bra sitting in the nursing home trying to carve my little pumpkin with a plastic knife and spoon. I don't want to wait fifty years between carving pumpkins or coloring Easter eggs or hanging up my stocking.

I don't want to...and I won't.

I promise myself this.

And if you happen to be in the same nursing home as me we will, together, carve Halloween masterpieces no matter what anyone thinks.

Every year...no matter what.

But you'll have to bring your own plastic spoon and knife.

Sigh.

11 comments:

KCSherri said...

Amen, sister! I'll be right there with you - I may be 47 in years, but not in mentality! I'll always be a kid at heart.

Sherri

Jana said...

beautiful Jenny, and you know it...crackin jokes makes it seem not so deep, but the message here is so valuable and full of your lovely heart.

Unknown said...

I plan on being a kid for another thirty or forty years! its my job....I love that your dad enjoyed it...what a great memory this will be!

Jen said...

i love the pictures, esp. the one of your dad. I hope, and pray, that we never lose the childlike heart! I know my mom still loves to get a stocking, at Christmas, basket at Easter, and yes, she dyed easter eggs with us this year. I believe that Christ gave us the child like heart! May those of us that have this, including your dad, NEVER lose that! Oh, and I'll be there with my plastic spoon and knife. :)

Christina said...

I love the generations, together doing this!!! So great, and you captured it so that it will be remembered. What a treasure!

Nicki Meier said...

Jenny...these are GREAT pictures! Loved the last one of your dad with the pumpkin.
So glad you all had such a fabulous time doing this...

Amy said...

I couldn't agree more! With everything going on this year I've let some things slide...like really decorating for Halloween and Fall. It makes me sad. I don't want to lose that part of myself just because I'm older or my son is older or because of life's adversity's. Thanks for this post Jenny!

Sherri said...

Sometimes it is necessary to REMIND ourselves it's OK to let our inner child play no matter what our age! Great post. Thanks for stopping by my blog too. I'm saving more jars to do more candles!

laterg8r said...

so glad you made him participate - 1/2 of life is showing up, the rest is getting into it while you are there :D

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Please let me never look like the lady in the last photo...lol

I was the only one in my family when I was growing up that loved egg dying / pumpkin carving / tree decorating and I'll never give it all up! :-)

Anonymous said...

Adorable photos, a classic smile from your dad looking happy and content. And wow, aren't your pumpkins huge!!

CJ xx
p.s. happy egg colouring, it isn't long away now!!