What a High Schooler Taught Me About Growing Old

I know a high school boy named Carson.  He is funny and a little bit crazy-in-a-good-way, and he recently told me that he can’t WAIT for retirement.

That’s right. Retirement.

Now, as far as I know, Carson has never had a job.  He lives with his parents, he attends high school classes, he goes to church, he does homework, he hangs out with friends.  And, I’m sure there are plenty of things in life that he is looking forward to.  Graduation.  College.  A career.  Love.  Homes.  Cars.  Decisions.  Freedom.

He has so much excitement ahead of him.  Yet, at an age when most kids would rather die than think about being old, Carson already sees the beauty in the later years of life.  He understands that life isn’t over when your kids grow up and move away.  He realizes, in whatever way that a sixteen year old boy can, that life is long and every single part of it is worth living and living well.

When I hear Carson talk, I can’t help but laugh.  He likes making people laugh.  But, his words have stayed with me.  Here I am in the prime of motherhood, loving the somewhat crazy days and the sometimes sleepless nights.  And, the thought of being without these little babies is a little bit paralyzing, even though I have years to go before the empty nest arrives.

I know the time will fly.

And, somehow, a hilarious high school boy has made me feel better about the whole thing.  Because kids are the greatest.  At 2, at 7, at 10, and at 16.

Someday when Carson retires, I hope he’ll be able to look back on a full life spent serving God and loving people.  Maybe he’ll drive his RV out to see Chad and me and all our grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  I know on that day, we’ll do a lot of laughing.