Last Sunday I turned 30.
(Yes, part of the reason for writing this editorial is because I expect letters to editor saying ‘happy birthday’).
I remember when I was young (I can finally say that now) and I saw people in their 30s as very mature adults who ‘have it all together.’ I’ve waiting for that transition to happen for the past 10 years, and it still hasn’t.
I still don’t know how to change a tire, for example, and I feel that this is something every adult should know. And so I often find myself seeking advice from other adults who are more experienced at ‘adulting.’
I am not sure if there is a point in life when you can finally feel that you are a successful, mature adult. Maybe it happens when you have children? I guess I’ll have to wait to find out.
Earlier this year I had the immense pleasure of attending the 100th birthday of Ruth Hart. And I can tell you, that sure gave me some perspective on life.
When I first arrived, I tried to introduce myself from a distance and she didn’t respond, maybe because she couldn’t hear me. So at first I didn’t expect that I would connect with her that much.
When I got closer to her, however, she grabbed me by the arm and asked me to sit down with her.
To my surprise, she was genuinely interested in me. She asked me questions people normally don’t, and I was surprised at myself because I shared things I normally don’t.
Instead of me being the interviewer, which is usually what happens, she took over the conversation entirely. And with every response I gave her, she offered a life-affirming message of encouragement and support. She told me that she loves reading the Lakes District News, for example, and that I should keep writing.
And then she asked me the big question, “How old are you?”
And I said, “Well, I am actually turning 30 soon.” The tone of my voiced suggested that I was starting to feel old. And then her response - like every other response she gave me that day - really surprised me.
She burst out laughing.
When she finally stopped laughing she said, “You have your whole life ahead of you,” with a big smile on her face.
Her response gave me a lot of perspective. It made me realize that she was the same age I was 70 years ago, and it also gave me hope that people can be 100 with so much energy and still making a difference in people’s lives, like she did to mine.
So maybe there’s still time for me to feel like an adult, and maybe I can use the next 70 years to learn how to change a tire.
In the meantime, we can all learn a thing or two with Ruth. Whether you’re 30, 40, 50 or 80, you may still have your whole life ahead.