Is This What Youth Looks Like?

My mother said something on Mother’s Day while we were taking pictures that keeps resonating within me.  It resonates because I felt it deep down.  It was one of those things that you know will stay with you forever because it “struck a chord” on the inside of you.

We were taking selfies together being goofy, and having fun.   Both of us of course, wanted to make sure we looked decent for the photos and would look at them after we would take a few shots.  She would scooch down to appear shorter than me, we would make funny faces, and we would laugh.  It was fun!  Fun until her tone changed as we looked at a picture.  As we were looking at what I considered to be a great picture, she said with a sad voice, “You represent the youth of me, and I look old.”  I could feel the sadness in her voice, and that in turn made me feel sad.  It’s like my life suddenly flashed before my eyes and I wondered how I would feel at her age.  I just wanted to hug her and never let her go at that moment, but my mom is not a huggy type of person so we continued taking pictures.  I started acting really silly at that point to try and lighten the mood.  My grandmother and aunt were there, so I pulled them in for some quick pictures too.

I don’t know about you, but getting older is a little scary.  I notice all the different things happening in my body and it freaks me out at times.  When I look in the mirror, I see someone else staring back at me.  Where does the time go?  It seems like only yesterday I was graduating high school and ready to take on the world.  So young and vibrant, and full of life!   Now I am a little older then my mom was on the day that I graduated.   Selah.

My moms’ words still echo in my ears, and I can’t help but ask myself, “Is this what youth will look like to me one day?  Is this really youth?”