The Girl I Used to Be
Being in Louisiana this past weekend has brought back so many memories of my junior-high years when we lived there. It is hard to believe that’s been 30 years ago. The experiences I had there are still fresh in my mind, yet a lot happens in 3 decades!
I’ve been trying to remember the dreams and aspirations I had as a 13-year-old. Did I imagine myself in 30 years? I doubt it. How can a barely-teen-age girl possibly conceive of what it’s like to be a middle-aged woman? I do know this much: being middle-aged is nothing like what I thought it would be. In my mind, I am not 43! But… it doesn’t matter. Life is good, and I am happy with who I am.
As I’ve been contemplating these things I was reminded of this poem I came across several years ago:
She came tonight as I sat alone..
The girl I used to be….
And she gazed at me with her earnest eyes
And questioned reproachfully:Have you forgotten the many plans
And hopes I had for you?
The great career, the splendid fame,
All the wonderful things to do?Where is the mansion of stately height
With all its gardens rare?
The silken robes that I dreamed for you
And the jewels in your hair?And as she spoke, I was very sad
For I wanted her to be pleased with me…
This slender girl from the shadowy past
The girl that I used to be.So gently rising, I took her hand
And guided her up the stairs
Where peacefully sleeping, my babies lay
Innocent, sweet, and fair.And I told her that these are my only gems,
And precious they are to me;
That silken robes, is my motherhood
Of costly simplicity.My mansion of stately height is love,
And the only career I know
Is serving each day in these sheltered walls
For the dear ones who come and go.And as I spoke to my shadowy guest,
She smiled through her tears at me.
And I saw the woman that I am now
Pleased the girl I used to be.~Author unknown
8 Comments
Renee
Such a beautiful poem! When I look in the mirror, I am sometimes surprised to me at 44 – lol! It definitely is not what I expected – it's so much better – lol. Wonderful post!
Sweet Blessings
I know! In my mind I am very young until I try and do the butt bounce on the trampoline with my girls-lol! Don't do it-two words-whip lash!! In some ways I am very much the same-thank the Lord for maturity and the blessing of wisdom that comes with age though. Blessings! Amanda:)
Emily
The poem is just lovely! Thanks for sharing!
TattingChic
That is a sweet poem! Your trip really got you reminiscing, didn't it!?
I wanted to let you know that I'm having a giveaway! Be sure to come on over and join in!
TattingChic
Oh, it's me again! I just came back over to say thank you for entering my giveaway! Good luck to you! I'm really glad you entered because I know how much you want to learn to tat. Well, at least I know you've mentioned it before!
Constance
That is a great poem! At that same age my future plans were to be a Ballerina. I had been studying seriously for several years already and I slept, ate and breathed dancing! All of that changed in high school when I met a boy. I made some very foolish choices (driven by generational sin that I was unaware of) and reaped the consequence of a teenage pregnancy at 16, married at 17, divorced and was a single mom by 19. Goodbye to those dreams…
Today that child is 31 and she is a beautiful Godly woman! She has blessed us with 3 grandchildren and a wonderful son-in-law. I wouldn't trade Jennifer for all of the fame or recognition that the world could offer. God allowing me to be her mother (as well as mother to our 3 other children) is the best future He could have ever given me!
Connie
Nancy M.
Great poem! When I was young, I don't think I thought about life after my early 20's. Everything was so "now" oriented. I kinda still feel like a kid inside.
Laura
What a beautiful post, Karla. I enjoyed it.