As I've mentioned before, I've been reading the diaries I kept when I was a teen. Mostly they are simply a record of what I did each day, much of which is not particularly interesting. But there are exceptions, a sample of which follows. I should explain that my parents were 43 and 47 when I was born, and by the time I was a teen they were just plain tired (a state of being which I can empathize with now.) On Sunday, June 24, 1973, I wrote the following at age 16:
"I'm feeling very sorry for myself because this family doesn't go anywhere. I would've liked to see one of the rodeos this weekend - they were just about 2 miles down the road. And I didn't get to go to the carnival! I wanted to at least see what it looked like, but I guess nobody else did, so I can't. I'm scared to ride my bike that far alone and I can't drive the Plymouth. Friday night we were busy, and Saturday night I was, too, I guess. But If Mama wasn't at work tonight I'm sure she'd take me, or else I could take the Dodge. Daddy knows I want to go - I mentioned it a couple of times, but he just said , "Oh that's right - you did say something about that." I'm sure he's forgotten now. I don't like to bug him - after all, it IS his birthday - but I bet he'd take me if I asked. Maybe I'm being too silly about the whole thing, and acting like a baby. But I would like to go, and I might even see some of my friends.....I suppose parents forget the excitement of a carnival, the desire to be with those of your own age, and what fun it is to indulge in a little silliness. That's the trouble with getting old - you get too practical, you don't want to do "wild" things now and then, you like a quiet, calm life, with no noisy fairs in it. I don't want to get old for a long time, and when my body is old, I want to stay young at heart!"
I am now only 2 years younger than my father was then. I had long forgotten what I had written in that diary, yet I have attempted to remain young at heart! I took up skiing and rode my first roller coaster in my 40s, worked a summer job at an amusement park in my 50s, and I still go to the fair! I no longer care for most of the rides, but I like the bright lights and it's fun to people-watch there. Yes, I do like a quiet, calm life, but I still like to do something moderately "wild" now and then. I consider myself too young to get completely stuck in a boring rut. As long as I am physically able to get out and do interesting things, I will.