Nostalgia

I've spent the last year in a reminiscent phase. I called old friends I hadn't talked to since high school, I reconnected with an old boyfriend because I always wondered where he ended up. I also planned a reunion for my graduating class. Recently, one of my favorite bands reunited after 15 years and I attended one of their concerts with a couple of life-long friends of mine.

All of these things have brought me great joy....but at the same time, I feel the changes that have taken place over the last 20 years or so. I was telling Billy Hufsey on his fan page that nostalgia can be a double-edged sword. One side of that blade is so comfortable - it's what you know. It's what's built who you are. The other side of that sword can be a bitter reminder of what you haven't accomplished in life...the goals you set early in life that just haven't come to fruition. It's hard to come to terms with that sometimes.

When I was a few months away from my 30th birthday a few years back, I was fighting depression badly. My sister told me "Mel...you have to look at the older people...determine what they've done in their lives before 30 and what they've done after thirty. I guarantee you your thirties will be great for you - you have so much left to do!!" And so far, she's been right (don't ANYBODY tell her I said that. I'll deny it!!). I've been a wife and mother for the last 13 years, we've bought our home, established stability for our kids and I've even managed to build my own photography business. In my free time, I also write. Someday I hope to combine those two passions into an amazing project (or six...lol). Until then, I'm just enjoying the ride.

I like the scenery. I may sit down and sniff a few roses along the way while I'm at it. :)