Wisdom of the Elders.

I had an interesting conversation with my aunt recently. She and I spoke about how parents often want to intercede in their children's lives; how they often want to step in and shield them from failing relationships and ill-fated decisions. The thing that was interesting, and startling, was her recollection of my relationship with David.

I knew she did not approve of him. What I did not understand was why. Now, I get it. My aunt was forecasting, foreshadowing and prophesying because she was looking at him through the set of eyes that anyone not blinded by his charisma could see.

As young people, especially in the hope of our early adulthood, we tend to see most things in life with a limitless amount of optimism. We approach our relationships with exuberance and zeal, thinking that they can survive against all odds because we see potential. We approach our jobs with excitement and vigor because we see the opportunity. It takes a while for the disillusionment of the truth to settle in.

In my own quest to be happy I see missteps and mistakes that were necessary for my growth. Yet, when I look at them I can't help but wonder what or where I would be if just once I had done something more with the advice my elders had given me. If I had never entrusted my heart to David, perhaps I'd be married to a partner who had a vision and direction. Perhaps we'd have kids in prep school, speaking Espanol or Francais. If I had held on a little longer in any given situation perhaps I'd own the yacht I dream of and be able to spend time sailing to and fro. Perhaps vacations in exotic parts of the world would take less financial strategy and more spontaneity. If I had gone right when my elders suggested it perhaps I'd have friends that I can go skiing with during winter and cruise with in the summer. I'd be connected with the types of people that I had once envisioned knowing.

I would love to say that I have no regrets about the life that I have chosen. The truth is that I have quite a few. Those regrets are embedded in the details of my existence; small things like being a few minutes too late arriving at a decision, deciding to bypass a certain activity, not giving something my full attention. However minute those things appear, they are things that I can hear the elders of my world chiding me about. The knowledge of that nags at me from time to time. It is especially troublesome when I see a youngster refusing to heed the wisdom of the older generations. These young people who think that they are smarter than the system and anything that can be thrust at them, optimistic enough to think that the world will never conquer their spirit make me smile. So, I walk away praying for them to listen to the wisdom their elders have to impart. One day it might save their lives, at the very least, save them some pain and discomfort.