a trip down memory lane

Tonight Fleetwood hosted a song service for all the Pennsylvania congregations. It's been years since I've attended one of them! When I was growing up and in the youth, they were held every 5th Sunday and all the congregations took turns hosting them. Being there tonight brought back youth memories and a sense of disbelief that the people I used to watch as a young girl now have youth children of their own! I could pick out who some of the youth were because I knew their parents. Those of us who were youth together not so many years ago now have some gray hairs and carry extra pounds. Sometimes I forget what it was like to be 16 or 17 (half my lifetime ago! 😳) but watching all those young people helped revive some of those feelings. I remember a sense of vibrancy and excitement about life and the future, being carefree with no real responsibility, having fun with friends and meeting new people, so many enjoyable times singing, but also feelings of inferiority and self-consciousness. There was always someone prettier, more popular, a better singer or ball player... and that really was a big thing! How small those struggles look now! Sometimes I miss the feeling of life being an unknown road in front of me, excited about possibilities and dreams. At this point, my life seems pretty predictable and I've become more cynical of dreams and expectations. Some of my dreams did come true though! I remember saying when I was quite young that I wanted to wear glasses (✅), be a teacher (✅), and be fat (well, I'm maybe not fat, but certainly not skinny either so ✅!🤭) I also remember wanting to write a book, but that one hasn't really come true unless you count this blog! Sometimes I feel like a totally different person than I was as a young girl and teenager.

Even though my life didn't exactly turn out how I dreamed it would, I'm thankful for the good things God has given me. 🎶"If I had ten thousand lives with which to praise Him... I could never praise Him half enough."🎶