Big Sisters

[plumtreeblossom]

I was just now taken out to lunch by one of my higher-ups here at work and had a fantastic time talking to her. I’ve said this before and I know I sound like a skipping CD, but I am so loving having older people in my life again as role models, friends, and inspirations. For the last 5 years I’ve been the oldest person in any of my friend groups, and it’s hard without a balance on both ends. These new older influences are so validating to me, because many of them have lived their lives in much the same way I have, straying far from the traditional path and laughing at the American notions of age and what should happen when. At lunch today I had a marvelous time hearing about how she married for the first time at 41 and gave birth to a beautiful son at 44. My direct-report boss is the same kind of youthful soul, and knockout gorgeous in her late 40s. Having these people around makes me feel NORMAL for the first time in I don’t know how long. Not that I don’t love you kids, of course :-), but everyone needs big brothers and big sisters no matter what your age, I think.

I was an oldest child (if you don’t count the half-brother I’ve never met), and I hated holding that position in the family line-up, with no one in my generation to look up to. That’s why I latched onto my teenaged babysitters like they were sparkling diamond-encrusted idols. I would show up at the houses of Vicki or Chrissy or Pam on days when they weren’t even babysitting me and pester them to play with me. So that’s where my frequent longing for older companions has its headwaters.

****
Topic bouncing: Now that I’ve finally gotten the details squared away, I am SO excited about my trip to Edinburgh next month!! I’ve been binging off the walls. I just booked a cool all-day excursion to Loch Ness with one of those hippie bus outing programs, and I’m staying an a funky little backpackers’ hotel owned by a family. All of it within my price range. Waiting a whole month now will be hard. I wish I were going tomorrow!

This has been a really happy day so far.

Comments

[androidqueen.livejournal.com]

rock! oldest sisters unite!

[saturn939.livejournal.com]

I feel young, old, ageless, and out of place all at the same time. I AM young, and I have a lot of friends who are older than me. I went to a college where the freshmen are 16, 15, even 14 sometimes, so many of my friends shouldn't have even graduated high school yet, and that makes me feel old. I feel ageless in that I can get along with people regardless of their age. And I feel out of place a lot because I did school so fast . . . I was 19 when I was accepted to grad school, and a lot of my *peers* are 5, 10, 20, 30 years older than me.

I was more or less an only child. :)

-Dejio

[shayr22.livejournal.com]

Oh hon - when you're in Edinburgh - climb Arthur's Seat!!! It's amazingly gorgeous and worth it! If you'd like other suggestions let me know - I LOVE Edinburgh. It's the one other place in the world I think I could live - though the weather sucks!

Also, let me know if you're interested in company as my cousin lives there and I'm sure he'd be psyched for a connection to the states for an evening of fun.

[plumtreeblossom.livejournal.com]

Yes, absolutely! I'd love to have a local to chat with when I'm there. Put me in touch?