I'm not 21 anymore. I have come to terms with that. But this reality struck me recently as I was pondering what to do with the $120 dollars that I got for my recently held, 33rd birthday. It's really a story of contrasts.
My buddy Kyle is a guitar player at my church who is young, talented and a recent graduate from college. He works long hours, is single and has few bills to pay. As a result he spends lots and lots of money on music gear.
I used to be like that.
Now I have a mere $120 and feel paralyzed by the notion that I could spend this money on myself! It's weird. I live now in the financial world of mini-vans, (will need a new one soon, $20K or so), baby formula, (that junk is expensive!) and paying for a sort of private Christian school (click here it's really a cool concept).
My how times have changed. I used to be like my buddy Kyle, and now I probably wouldn't have any shame showing off my white legs as I mowed the lawn in short shorts, black socks and sandals.
I guess at some point it was probably inevitable and I wouldn't have it any other way. Desperately holding on to the illusion of youth just makes a guy look really silly.
9 comments:
Paying 20k for a van right now is a kind of crazy. They can hardly give those things away on the used market! It's a great time to buy a used van.
I hope you're not to the point of wearing socks with sandals. I'm older than you, so being a 33-year old who dresses like a retiree in FL doesn't reflect well on any of us 30-somethings! Okay, maybe to avoid injuries from mowing and weed eating, but even then, wear socks and closed-toe shoes, and save the sandals for relaxation!
Sounds like this could be your song Zach!
Word. I'm feeling you. I'm now 34 and drive a white Ford minivan (3 things I said I'd never have).
True and awesome.
You don't want to end up looking like half the population of Nashville over 40! Doh!
White legs rule.
This is a great post, Zach. Youth doesn't last forever, and it isn't meant to last forever. For that matter, this earthly life itself is just a vapor, compared to eternity. Therefore, youth is a vapor *of* a vapor!
As a single, 35-year-old man with a physical disability who is unable to drive and is still struggling to my "niche" in life (job, etc.), I often feel "removed" from my peers (who have jobs, spouses, kids and houses), as if I'm watching other people my age, playing in a movie in which I don't have much of a role.
Probably partially because I *am* single, I often end up spending time with people who are younger than me. It's interesting-- in some ways, it makes me feel a bit "old," and in some ways, it keeps my youthful spirit alive! The fact that I still love music, and creative stuff in general, and that I keep up with new things, doesn't hurt!
Maybe I can be a youthfully-spirited Christian man with the wisdom (hopefully!) that comes with age? That doesn't sound too bad to me. :-)
If you still haven't decided what to do with you Birthday money, send it to me. I won't bat an eye at spending it on something.
Welcome to the OG Club Zach! Man, I've gone thru the same thing, getting some money to do something with and I am paralized thinking what to buy since there is rarely any money not earmarked for something else. I have slowly given up considering what I might want. For $120 I might go buy something frivilous like a good sports jersey, or something else way off the money radar. I bought a ridiculous DVD for $40 that I liked but couldn't be rented. I got made fun of but we still watch it from time to time. So, my advice is ... think ridiculous!
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