Breathless - Reclaim Your Youth
As children we would seek after those moments that excited our hearts and energized our spirits, yet how soon do we forget what it was like to step on board a ride that may take us to the edge of fear and into that world of exhilaration? To do something that challenges our courage, no matter how simple it may appear, just might be that magic recipe needed to bring those moments of life back again. Even though we may never be able to reverse the changes to the body that time administers, I believe, we can bring youth back to our inner selves. A key element in doing so and in living life to its fullest is to learn how to reclaim that spirit of a child, to “Reclaim your youth.”
When I was a young girl there was a wonderful place of freedom that existed down a long stretch of a county road on the outskirts of town. Driving down Keith Wilson Road in anticipation of the rollercoaster ride that was just around the next turn was enough to make our day as the butterflies in our stomachs became alive with anticipation. As we drew closer to the final hill that would take us soaring my father would press down on the accelerator of our big green Mercury sedan and set it speeding up and over each cresting wave of asphalt until the crescendo of the mother of all hills sent us air-born for a few seconds before the wheels touched down on the backside of our long anticipated fall. Not just the laughter of the youth within our car filled the air long after that final drop but, my father, as well, joined in on the hysteria of the moment.
With this spirit and memory of such moments, and the celebration of my sister‘s 50th birthday I planned a road trip for the two of us with one goal in mind: to “Reclaim our youth.” This three day adventure began with a full tank of gas, the car pointed northward, no schedule or maps in hand, and with wide eyed wonders seeking to be carefree kids again.
The first night we stayed in a nice hotel room with all the conveniences and comforts we’ve become accustomed to. The next night we spent at a youth hostel and by morning our aching bodies made us fully aware that youth hostels are better left to the youth. The third and final night had regressed to the point of sleeping in our car in a darkened corner of a parking lot of some hotel along the highway. My sister was grateful that three nights was all we planned for the way things were progressing she feared the fourth night might be on a bed of nails.
The furthest north we got was San Francisco, where I decided to learn the art of skateboarding. This is one sport that was not around when I was a kid and I’ve always thought it would be fun to do. Yes, here I was with my garage-sale-find long board, a bike helmet and a determination to skate any FLAT street I could find (I really don’t have a death wish). After I got over the initial fear of falling and started to relax the adventure brought back the kid in me. I actually started to catch onto the technique and came away from the day feeling balanced and without drawing blood.
We truly did have an unforgettable adventure in reclaiming our youth. And while journeying this highway we not only discovered our inner-kid again, we also discovered that youth really can be a state of mind.
Mid-life Crisis or Comedy? . . . . . It’s your choice!
Reclaimed Youth in action
In Other’s Words:
“Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.”
~ Hillary Cooper~