Dear Father Time,

Why are you called Father Time instead of Mother Time? Is it because we already have

Mother Nature? I ask because I really wasn’t sure how to address you. Now that I think about it, it might lie in the naming itself. Mother Nature implies a nurturing aspect, and well, from my experience, fathers aren’t always the most nurturing of people. Kind of like time itself—not really nurturing.

Anyways, I’ve made it. I’ve completed another trip around the sun. What does that make it, twenty-five trips now? Yes, I know that’s not the exact number. However, can I at least have this one little delusional moment, please?

I ask because it’s tough these days with the increasing aches, the pains that seem to appear randomly out of the blue each morning, not to mention my failing eyesight. You remind me every time I sneeze just how much time has passed, as with each sneeze comes the possibility that I may throw my back out. If that isn’t cruel enough, you’ve also managed to shrink my bladder to the point where I am no longer able to sleep through the night. After a couple of hours of restful slumber, I have to wake up and go pee, which then results in my brain waking up and questioning why I did something twenty years ago. (I’m sure it’s farther back than that, but since I’m only twenty-five...) I just want to be able to sleep through the night and start my day refreshed and ready to tackle whatever new hell life may throw in my direction.

I must say, the last few trips around the sun have been rather eventful. There were the years when the darkness almost engulfed me. I’m happy to say those days are now behind me. Things began to turn around after that trip to Italy.

These days I seem to be trying to find my “place” in this crazy world. While I’m not sure if I’ll ever find it, you have managed to take me to some pretty interesting places. First there was that move to Reno, a place that gave me room to catch my breath. Then there was the time in New Orleans, which has undoubtedly been the highlight of the past several years. Even this last trip around the sun has brought more changes. I moved away from New Orleans, which was painful to do. I bought a new place in a new city and, once again, found myself starting over.

Or am I really starting over?

Maybe I’m simply continuing life in a new place, learning to adapt and grow as a person. Hmm. That is a different way of looking at things.

While I don’t know what this new cycle will bring—more aches and pains more than likely, thank you very much—I enter it slightly more optimistic than I have in years past. I say that because I’ve come to realize one piece of wisdom: every year brings new challenges, new opportunities, and new areas for growth.

And this year seems to be starting with a rather significant change!

For the first time in several years, I enter this trip around the sun with a new addition to my life. An addition who makes me laugh, loves to cuddle, and, most importantly, accepts me for exactly who I am. While I have no idea where this path may lead, I’m grateful for the opportunity to take it and see where it goes. Who knows, he may just be the one.

So, Mother Time—because I think I like that title better—thank you for allowing me this opportunity. While I’m sure you’ll continue to add new aches, pains, wrinkles, and other surprises along the way, I look forward to seeing what else you may bring.

Love,

Thankful

P.S.

Is it possible to cut down on the number of body ailments? Or maybe even cheaper Botox?