Influencer.... When did this become a thing?

It has really come home to me in the last couple of weeks that I am not a part of the young and hip generation, no matter how young I feel inside my head and heart.  (Do they still say hip, or is that another way I have identified I am [late] middle aged?  And I am asking myself, was I ever hip to begin with?  Young?  Definitely.  But hip?  Hm.  Probably not.)

I have been seeing a lot in the news about a young woman who is reportedly no longer speaking to her parents because she blames them for ending her "career" as a Social Media Influencer.  [Never mind her own role in this whole debacle, which I won't even get into.  Personal responsibility doesn't seem to be A Thing with this group.]  Apparently this girl (and many others just like her) has made a small fortune being flown around the world by various companies she "represented" for the sake of flashing her photo having a good time on their dime, and people actually paid attention.  I can't believe any major company handed out these types of freebies for no reason, so obviously, it must bring them business.

Birthday song

Yesterday was a big day in a mom's life.  It was my daughter's birthday, and like most moms, I was reliving one of the most important and life changing days a person can experience.

Whether first, last, or one of several, the birth of child changes the world for you.  This helpless individual, completely dependent on your whims, is your full responsibility, and its a big one.  In this case, the child was even more helpless than most, being premature and in the NICU for some time before being allowed home.  She was just a morsel of humanity, light as a feather, and so fragile she couldn't even cry at first.  But the overwhelming love I felt was as big as the universe.  I would have done anything for her, from the first moment until this moment.

Escaping the past....

I very rarely discuss politics with anyone, because it has become such an incendiary topic these days.  The polar extremes have hijacked the process, and everything seems to be all or nothing, either or.  That doesn't represent the reality of my life, and I am tired of it all.

Life is nuanced, and there are infinite positions between A and Z.  But to find the middle ground, you have to actually be able to discuss the issues, and in the current climate of hate, fear and mistrust, we don't seem to be able to do that, either in Washington, or out in the real world.  So, like many others, I focus on my narrow life and avoid even the mention of anything controversial.

On life and living....

On February 1, 2001, I awakened to a pain so excruciating words are inadequate to describe it.  I am not a wimp about pain, but this was intolerable.  On the usual one to ten scale, this was definitely a 12.  I could not stand upright, and my side hurt with such a burning, searing pain I thought I was dying.  (As it turned out, I was, but I didn't know that yet.)

Evaluating one's self....

A couple of weeks ago I fell on the ice and hurt my knee.  It has been a painful, ever present reminder that I am not the master of my own universe, and that randomly, out of nowhere, there can be a whole new plan forced upon me.  I can do my best to stay on the narrow path, but sometimes icy spots trip you up.

I think these moments are valuable.  They force you to contemplate your well ordered existence, and jar you from your easy complacency.  My injured knee has caused me to evaluate my own life, and think about what is most important to me, an exercise which I think is important to do occasionally.