Growing Old <> Growing Up

Standing here

The old man said to me:

"Long before these crowded streets,

here stood my dreaming tree."

Below it he would sit

for hours at a time,

now progress takes away

what forever took to find.

~dmb

I've been progressively turning into a grown-up for at least 8 years now.


I've gone from being a college grad, to a temp employee, to hourly, to salary.


I have a piece of lucite with my name on it, celebrating 5 years of employment at the same company.


I know more than I ever expected to about appraisals, blue book value, insurance copays and deductibles, termite contracts, short sales, PMI,  Home Depot, rental cars, diversity training and ice dams.


I moved out of my parents' house, rented my first apartment, bought a house, sold a house, rented a condo, then rented a house.  I've gone through my first, second, third, fourth, and fifth cars.


I know how to balance a checkbook and dispute an overdraft fee, lower an interest rate and read a police report, file for unemployment and make a wage claim.


Here's what those things replaced:


I've forgotten how to play pretend.  

I'm no longer ticklish.

I can't do a cartwheel.

I have volume control.

I think realistically.

I don't remember the last time I drew on a sidewalk, bounced a kickball, explored the woods or climbed a tree.  Played in the snow instead of shoveling it.  I never forget what day of the week it is.

When did gaining responsibility mean sacrificing spontaneity and imagination?  Daydreams and adventures and childlike faith?


I don't have any answers, and I'm not really sure why this struck me, suddenly.  However, I do have at least one thing left that makes me feel like a kid.  The possibilities are endless, and there is joy in making new discoveries, diving in without hesitation, playing and experimenting and feeling the satisfaction of making something that came out of my own imagination.


It's knitting.


Surprised?


Take a look at this:

Does this look like a sensible sock to you?


I can't decide if it reminds me more of Popsicles or Starburst candies.

Maybe Fruit Stripe Gum.  Yes, Fruit Stripe Gum.


I call these "Skyp to Oz" socks.  Reason being: I used Knit Picks' hand-painted Imagination yarn in the Munchkin colorway, and the pattern "Simple Skyp Socks" by Adrienne Ku (free download on Ravelry).  SKYP is an acronym for the repeating pattern: Slip one, Knit one, Yarn over, Pass slipped stitch over the k1,yo1.  I pronounce it "skip" not "Skype" ... reminds me of Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tinman, and Lion skipping down the yellow brick road together.


My favorite part is how the heel worked out with the striping:

I know the combination of the pattern and the yarn turned out rather hideous - there are a whole mess of other patterns that probably would have done this yarn justice - but I still really like the socks.  They're fun.  They're different.  They're whimsical and hilarious and silly.


They remind me that growing old doesn't necessarily mean growing up.  Dorothy knew it.  Alice knew it.  Wendy knew it.


And I'm going to do more things that remind me of being a kid, like coloring with crayons or watching Disney movies. Finding shapes in the clouds and camping out in the backyard (both of which Mr. Pi and I did last weekend):

What do you see?

What would you do to remind yourself that growing old doesn't necessarily mean growing up?


Mrs. Pi