Old Soul

Dear Old Soul,

Do you love things that make your life feel like an old-time movie reel, like I do? Do you prefer the scratch of vinyl to the perfect sound of new age electronics? Have you come to realize that living your life in an "old fashioned" way gives you more purpose? That it's much easier to live intentionally? 

I love old fashioned things...I love my 1950s record player, dancing to Ronnie Milsap in the living room in the lantern light, and hanging clothes on the line in the summer sun. I love listening to my grandparents tell me stories about their childhood, and about my ancestors. Their stories inspire me and help me know where I come from. 

I love the smell of homemade bread baking in the oven and I enjoy making a home cooked meal for my family.

I like antique stores, finding a few special pieces and giving them new life. I love to imagine where they came from and how the people who owned them must have enjoyed them.

I love living off the grid, though I don't get the chance too often. I love cooking over a fire and just enjoying the company of the people I love without any of the distractions of the modern world.

I love to read REAL books...mostly old westerns. I also love to listen to books on tape while I'm driving instead of listening to music. 

I love to write letters and having a pen pal is so much more exciting than sending a text. 

Something about the instant gratification of all the modern day technology completely takes away our appreciation for things like snail mail. I often wish we could just go back! I always swear I was born in the wrong century. Being an old soul in today's world can really make you a misfit...but I wouldn't have it any other way.

A Quarter of a Century Ago

You watch her bounce a baby on her hip while another little one runs loose around you. She hums to the baby to soothe him and grabs the wild, outstretched arm of the toddler as he runs by. He screams and stomps his feet with discontent. 

You think back on all the memories you have like this of you with your babies...at the time overwhelming and now nostalgic. You'd give anything to have those days back again, if only for a little while. The things you might've done differently, you tell yourself. And yet, you must have done something right. The girl you're watching is yours, after all. She's a good mama to those boys. 

You watch the baby stare at her and you long for that sweet gaze again. To be somebody's entire world. It's exhausting and draining but you never felt more needed, more important. It feels like yesterday and a million years ago all at the same time. A quarter of a century ago. You can't believe it. Time is such a thief. 

Time is also a beautiful blessing, you realize as you watch your grandson. He is a hilarious, vivacious child, so full of life and laughter. There aren't many children like this one. Your role as a grandma might just be your favorite one. Mama was...is...the greatest role of your life. But grandma? It's a whole new world of fun and memories to come.