Additional Coverage:
- I’m jealous of my adult children because they have their whole lives ahead of them, and I don’t (businessinsider.com)
A local mom reflects on aging while watching her daughters thrive. She admits a twinge of jealousy seeing their youthful excitement about college, prom, and travel. A recent gray eyebrow hair sparked a mini-crisis, reminding her of passing time and things she wishes she’d done differently.
Her daughters, Nora and Molly, are on the cusp of adulthood, full of energy and opportunity. Their mom proudly acknowledges their accomplishments but confesses to feeling envious of their unburdened futures.
She admits to sometimes living vicariously through her daughters, urging them to share details of their social lives and even offering unsolicited advice. The gray hair triggered regrets about college choices, past relationships, and financial decisions. She wishes she could revisit her younger self with the wisdom she has now.
While generally happy, she struggles with the realization that she’s lived more life than she has left. She wonders if her best years are behind her and if she took them for granted. She fantasizes about being 16 again, but with her current knowledge.
Despite the anxieties, she recognizes the value of her experiences. She imagines a future older self, perhaps with fully gray eyebrows, looking back fondly on her 46-year-old self. She concludes that today is the youngest she’ll ever be and that there’s wisdom in appreciating the present moment.