So what exactly is success?

Success is determined in various ways along the road. As we hit these different mile markers our idea of success changes.  At age 4, success is measured by not peeing in your pants. Age 13, officially a teenager. Age 16, hello driver’s license. Age 18, now recognized as an adult, the ability to vote, ability to enlist in the army, ability to be sentenced to prison, or possibly just head to college. Age 21, “Long Island Ice Tea please.” Age 25, graduate college, say “I Do”, and reduction in car insurance. Age 35, establish a career and family. Age 50, AARP. Age 55, graduations and weddings. Age 65, time to whip out the Medicare card. Age 90, not peeing in your pants. Age 100, have your picture on a Smucker's jar on the Today Show (Granny B. will hopefully have her picture on the Today Show this October!!)

Why am I going over the different age mile markers you ask? Well you see my dad just had his 55^th   mile marker. Some people may wince at the idea of reaching the next stage of success but I believe this is one my dad was thrilled to reach.

The Birthday Boy

I can only imagine being a parent and sending your kids off to college. I don’t know what would be more difficult, pulling away and leaving your child behind or pulling out the pocket book when tuition is due. Either way college is definitely a  time of change for parents. These changes usually lead to a remodeling of the house, addition of WiFi Internet and a big screen TV  with surround sound I might add. I don’t know if these are mid-life crisis changes or ways to entice the children to come visit. 

Within a years’ time, my parents will have married off both of their kids. I believe my brother’s wedding will be a tad easier on my parents than mine was. It may possibly be because they don’t have to pay for this wedding or it may be that they are still in wedding mode.  Either way, they have made it known that they are so blessed to have both kids graduated from college, both have good jobs, and both have found their significant others. This seems to be very rare these days.

Like the age old saying goes, “Age is just a number.” My dad is the busiest 55 year old I have ever known. He may be getting close to retiring age but he is the type of person that wouldn't be happy sittin at home watching soap operas and eating bon bons. He can crunch numbers in his head all day long and can beat us young whippersnappers at mental math any day. Who says you loose mental ability once you go over the hill? Dad is relatively techno savvy but if he ever comes over, you best be hiding your TV remote!! I believe the last three times we had issues with our TV just so happened to be the last three times my parents came down to visit. He somehow manages to mess up the TV every time he comes in. I now hide the remote and don’t allow him to touch any electronic device.

I have come to the conclusion that age IS just a number. I have been told time and time again that I have an old soul. Yes, I am a 22 year old that enjoys saving money, making things from scratch, going to bed early, and not driving past dark. The sad thing is, I just realized today that the last part is so true it isn't even funny. As Dan and I are driving to Illinois Saturday I realized how many bug guts are on my windshield. I honestly can’t remember the last time my windshield was that dirty! I began pondering what made my windshield so dirty. Oh yea, Dan drove to Nashville Friday night to pick up a friend from the airport. Night driving attracts bugs to windshield. It has been so long since I drove past dark that I wasn't used to seeing the ruminants of night driving. Wow…a 22 year old that already doesn't drive past dark. This is not looking very promising!

So as I celebrate a new age of success with my dad, I can appreciate the fact that age means diddly squat. Yes, your knees may buckle while your belt wont and a faucet drip may lead to a sudden bladder urge but like a fine wine, you get better with time! Growing old is mandatory but growing up is optional. 

I can say I look forward to my car insurance discount but until then, I will enjoy my early bed time and lack of bug guts on my windshield.

Oh the joys of being an "old soul" farmer's wife!