A Photo is Worth 3,650 days.
Ten years is a long time. Or is it?
It seems like a blur when I think about what has happened in the last 3,650 days.
Joining on with Mama Kat’s Writing Workshop this week selecting prompt 5:
Find a photo of yourself taken 10 years ago and display it on your blog along with a current photo. How have you changed since the day that photo was taken?
I found this photo in an envelope marked FEB. ’03.
That’s close enough for me.
That’s me and my Hannie. I remember the day this photo was taken. March 3, 2003. It was after church and two years to the day that she came into our lives at 5 weeks of age.
Then I found this photo on my phone taken last month at lunch after church.
How have I changed?
First an observation. In the older photo, I look genuinely happy. After almost half a decade of fertility treatments and adoption drama, I had my little girl. And also in February 2003 we were starting the process to adopt our second child. See second photo.
The older me looks a less joyful, more smiling because a child pointed a phone at me over lunch. I’m sure my mind was on my ill Dad, work I needed to wrap up, concerns about children — or maybe I just was deeply distracted whether to order breakfast or lunch? Or maybe I was thinking why did I order chicken fried steak? I should have gotten the eggs and sausage.
Other happenings in the last decade:
1. The little boy I am clutching in the recent picture is the result of that 2003 adoption process. In October of that year, I received that life-changing gift.
2. I weathered a mid-life crisis of sorts. One in which I discovered a passion for writing and went off the deep end on the aerobic activity.
3. In the last ten years, I completed nine triathlons. See number 2. Twenty half marathons, a rough guess estimate. And two marathons. No guess on that. I remember every step of those.
4. Discovered I’m good at this writing gig. I wrote a humor column for five years. Won first place honors twice and second place once. Was totally shafted that year. Won a third place GAMMA award for a story on the hungry in a county with plenty. Enough self-aggrandizing. Now if I can only get around to updating my website. Maybe that will get done in the next ten years.
5. Thankfully, my marital status to the same great guy hasn’t changed.
6. I worry less and worry more. I fret less over appearance, what I do and don’t get invited to and how my children will turn out. I worry about running out of time in life as a general principle and on little things like deadlines. And I still worry about my children but now it is more centered on their individual strengths and weakness.
Worry is debilitating. Need to work on eradicating fretting in the next decade.
7. My hair. Don’t keep it dark anymore. Still have a very, healthy dose of highlights applied every 10 weeks or so.
8. Confidence. My confidence level is at an all time high. Which really isn’t saying much. But I’ve learned that the greatest obstacle I have to conquer in life is myself.
Wow. I like that.
What about you? How have you changed in 10 years?
P.S. I’ve now learned how to stop. See number 8.
This was fun to read, Jamie. I love your observations about yourself. Not sure how effectively I could turn the microscope, but I’ll try: Like you, I’ve discovered the writer within me, and I’m much more comfortable in my own skin. A good place to be.
I loved this post! I am also a worrier and I like your statement “worry is debilitating.” It’s something I really need to eradicate as well. Unfortunately I seem to be on the lower side of confidence these days, and I would completely agree that my greatest obstacle is myself… Great to get to know you better and love the pics with your beautiful kids!
Isn’t it amazing how much we can change in 10 years? Especially when children enter our lives. Our entire focus shifts and they absolutely raise the learning curve. This is a beautiful piece.
What a great list!
9 TRIATHLONS?!!! WOW!!!
I feel like you are writing this piece for the 2023 version of me.
We recently had our second child after a loong decision process where we investigated adoption, bio or simply being a family of 3.
I’ve recently rediscovered my love for writing (buried since my university days) and find myself desperately looking for “me” beyond “Mom-me”, “Wife-me” and “Work-Me”. So ya, a mini midlife crisis of sorts.
Oh – and I stopped colouring my hair dark.
So…question? Can I just plagiarize this in 1o yrs? Because you are where I hope to be.
Love all your writing BTW.
Kate — it’s funny. After writing that, I thought I need a 10th. Who stops at 9? Training does take time and energy. I was toying with another marathon for my 50th birthday next year. (Gasp. I did write that, 50). I think my joints will be much happier if I shoot for that 10th triathlon next summer.
Wow. Nic. That ending gave me a bitty shock and an itty lump in my throat.
I so relate to the worry. I actually think I worry more now than I did 10 years ago – most likely because I didn’t have children then. I love your words about the biggest obstacle and I am striving to fret less in the next decade, too.
And way to go with writing and triathlons – such great accomplishments!
How fun to see that older (not old!) photo of you! What a fun prompt and trip through memory lane! I always like when I learn more about my favorite bloggers.
I see a very wise woman in both pictures…
I have changed in so many ways from 2003 to 2013. It definitely requires it’s own post. The biggest thing was going from single to married with children, with a demanding career and trying to juggle it all.
A whole lot more to add to that, but you know what comes with that major life adjustments and I think some of the other things can be assumed.
I did discover songwriting and writing and realized – hey, I am ok at this. It’s allowing me to fulfill a few dreams I had left for dead. Sad, right? I’m only 37.
I love what you said here: “Worry is debilitating. Need to work on eradicating fretting in the next decade.”
You are so right. I just hope that in ten years from now, I am not saying the same thing. I have a feeling I will be.
Kiran
I love this post. You look beautiful in both pictures but I like the blonde hair on you. You are a wonderful writer and a special person. So glad we have found each other in this huge world of bloggers.
xoxo tiffani
I think it’s just amazing how much things can change in 10 years. 2003 just doesn’t seem that long ago, and yet I had to scan my photo into my computer! It’s so wonderful that you have had two little ones join your family!
I love that you are a song write Kiran. I think that is the PINNACLE. I have no musical talent (other than a deep appreciation). Those who can put words and melodies together — I am in awe.
you simply amaze me. such a role model for so many of us. love you, friend.