When Dad Was Young
by Steve Watters on 08/22/2008 at 10:05 AM
Do you have a hard time imagining your parents as young adults? When you think about your life and the kinds of highs and lows you encounter, is it difficult to imagine a day when your parents when in your shoes?
I remember one day when my grandpa was turning 70 him telling me that he still felt like a 17 year old inside. I'm starting to understand what he meant. Even as I take on more and more adult responsibilities, I still often feel like a kid inside and wonder if the "big people" can see right through my facade of maturity.
But it's amazing that I've gone through much of my life seeing my parents as altogether different. It's like I thought of them as born mature and instant adults -- even though they had to be young once.
This week on The Boundless Show, I tell the story of my dad recording at Sun Studio and then meeting Elvis at the age of 24. Hearing that story growing up I thought of this hyper-mature guy who knew his next chapter was going to be serving as a pastor and being a family man. But, even though he was pretty mature for his age, he was just this young guy trying to live a big life, pursue his dreams and make something of himself.
Yesterday, my dad would have been 61 if he hadn't died in 2003. I still enjoy hearing his old rock music (some of which appears in the podcast today) because it gives me a snapshot of his young adult years. But it also helps to see the full span of his life and to recognize just how pivotal the decisions dad was making in his twenties turned out to be.
Hope you enjoy the show this week.
1. Rachael said the following at 10:35 AM on Aug 22:
Yeah, when I was little, I most likely did not see or reflect much upon any immaturity my mom may have had when she was a young adult. I really really looked up to her. I still admire her, but I think that sense was heightened when I was younger.
But she was young once, too. And she's mentioned a couple things she's said in the past that would be FAR from her theological beliefs now. That's encouraging, along with the fact that her personality has become bolder than it once was. I admire her for her enduring faith and growth.
It's encouraging to know people can mature over the years. I like the idea of the maturation of spouses, and that when you see a mature older Christian, it doesn't mean that was automatic. It may have taken them 10-50 years to get to that state of maturity. Maturity is usually not an instant push-the-button type of deal.
2. BDB said the following at 10:57 AM on Aug 22:
This reminds me of the Facebook group: "When I was your age, Pluto was a Planet."
3. Julia H said the following at 11:01 AM on Aug 22:
Wow. I totally feel that way. I'm 27 years old and I still think its weird that a kid like me is allowed to own a house, get married, have babies and sign off drawings on refinery designs.
I still feel as if I am 16 and am totally in awe when the little ones at church call me Mrs. H.
4. Marie said the following at 10:01 PM on Aug 22:
I always thought of my parents as always mature. Until I got old enough for them to spill the beans about crazy things they've done. Still boggles my mind though, to think of them ever being 20 and in college.
I remember the first time someone called me a lady, rather than a girl- I was probably 16 and working at my summer job giving kids pony rides, and overheard a little girl tell her mom, "That lady said I can ride the pony!"
5. Esther said the following at 6:16 AM on Aug 23:
I remember my dad telling stories about all the crazy things he did in college and as a young adult, and I guess I always imagined that he was older and wiser when he did them. When I got to college it was hard to believe that he was as clueless and young as I felt being there.
When I graduated and was working in my first jobs, I often faced problems by asking, "How would dad handle this?". Sometimes it really helped, but I'd get down on myself when I still seemed to mess it up. I had to remind myself that I see how my dad deals with problems and people after 30 years in business. When he was just a couple years out of college, he probably wasn't doing as well as me, especially since I have such a great model to follow!
I am also encouraged at how my parents are growing together after 30 years of marriage. They certainly have had struggles, but I see differences from even when I was young, with more love, patience and cooperation.
6. Nicole (from Boston) said the following at 6:42 PM on Aug 23:
When I was young, I thought my parents knew everything and were the most mature, godly people alive. While they are still some of the most godly people around, as I've gotten older, they have told me stories that make me realize that they went through the same things that I'm going through now. And yes I still feel like I'm 12 years old (even though I'm a senior in nursing school). And my friends who are in their mid-twenties tell me that the feeling doesn't really change. :)
7. Loris said the following at 7:38 AM on Aug 25:
Nothing you can say will convince me that my dad was not born bearded and balding. :)
8. Carrie (the original) said the following at 11:31 AM on Aug 25:
""
When I was in pre-school, I was convinced that adults just dropped out of the sky. The aging process eluded me. I remember seeing parents pick their kids up and I often thought to myself "I wonder where they landed? I'm glad I'm a kid. Dropping out of the sky would be weird."