Re-Emerging

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One definition of the word re-emerge is to once again make popular. Life has a way of going full circle and dreams from our past at times re-emerge. I found this to be true when my husband completed an improv class a few months ago.  As a child, Kevin enjoyed entertaining his family by putting on silly shows and making them laugh. Many times things we are passionate about are things we did when young. If we are lucky and smart when grown we allow ourselves to let them re-emerge.

During the improv classes Kevin was introduced to 16 students of different ages, lives and reasons for taking the class.The goal of improv is to think quickly, and if one person stumbles another jumps in to help. The 54-year-old had to work just as hard as the 23-year-old. He had to remain on his toes with fresh thoughts.

On graduation night I sat in the audience and watched my grown up little boy perform three skits. I laughed at his silliness and felt happy that his family was seeing him out of the living room and under bright lights. His monologue tale of the story of his bachelor party re-emerged, and although in 33 years I heard it many times it felt brand new with the laughter of the audience around me. It was amazing how people that met just weeks ago made us feel like they worked together for years. I liked being reminded that it is ok for adults to let the inner child re-emerge once in a while.  Kevin never thought he would ever get the chance to be silly and funny in front of an audience, and here he was.

I left with the question: what do I need to re-emerge in my own life? I always liked to write and tell stories, but sometimes I am fearful of what others may think of my words. Kevin said he feared getting on the stage that night, but once he started it didn't matter about the applause. He was having fun. He encouraged me to start tapping the keys today. He convinced me it is fine to let the passion re-emerge. He encouraged me to get my creativity back and be enthusiastic about trying new things like recipes, and home decorating and all things I loved to do when we first met and share the stories. 

Our parents considered age the time for respect, and that is somewhat true. But in order to be noticed you must remain current. Kevin had to work just as hard to get the laugh at the show as the young students, maybe in some ways even harder.  I think when I do not focus on a number and keep youth in my heart, I can remember not to give up on dreams and passions I once had. Why can't I try different makeup colors and hairstyles?  Now is the time I have to try recipes again, read all the fashion and workout magazines.  Get together with friends.  Play silly games like Candy Crush Saga and Words with Friends.  I did what I had to both in raising my son and caring for my mom, and it is now time for my dreams and passions to re-emerge. Why not use the computer and then share what I have done or learned or tried and succeeded at, and even share the failures?

Years go by and we all grow up but within us remain the seeds of our youth.  The young girl in me for 33 years had sadness inside her as I was not able to dance with my father on our wedding day because he was struggling through his final weeks of battling pancreatic cancer. Two weeks ago our son got married and with happy tears of a wonderful memory I type this right now. Dancing with him to Child of Mine was a dream come true. No, it can never replace Daddy's Little Girl with my dad; however, somehow I felt Dad and now Mom at his side were smiling down, saying things are worth waiting for. They are also smiling because they knew I always wished for a little girl and I now have a beautiful daughter-in-law.  Yes, they are somewhat different versions of my dream but I feel blessed they came true.

I have learned to keep believing when things may seem impossible.  Things we hope for can come true and can be the scene of one of our best chapters if we remain patient and faithful. Life at times is like an improv show. We must stay connected and always jump in and help when others are struggling and cannot find the right thoughts and words to go on in life. Do not let differences stop you from getting to know others because they can be a very special part of the dream coming true. You get further with the word yes than the word no, so try new things even when scared, Have faith even when you do not feel it that today is leading you somewhere. We all are unique, so do not ignore the things you enjoy. 

I still have many things I want to try, places I want to go and people I want to spend my time with. I have dreams I still hope will come true. Years ago I gave up my dream of a special dance when I was turned down for the prom at 18, then dad’s illness made me feel it would never happen but God kept saying just listen to me!!!!! I believe now that maybe my vision of dreams will not be exactly his plan for me in the future steps of my journey, but at least I know he won’t be angry at me when I arrive above and hear him say wasn't writing the only subject you got an A in back then? So today my thoughts re-emerged, and just like Kevin I do it not for the applause, but because it is fun.

I believe in re-emerging.  

Donna Ryan is the editor of the blog 50plusstickingtogether. To read Donna's blog, click here.