Age Ain't Nothin But A Number
Does anyone remember that song by Aaliyah from 1994? I was 20 years old at the time...and although the lyrics might be too suggestive to type out here, I'll admit that it was pretty catchy...though I had no clue (and still don't) what she was singing/rapping about. What in the world does "Throwing down ain’t nothing but a thang" mean anyway?
Well, I turn 33 years old today and have been able to reflect (with the help of Gail, my mom, and my brother Jason) on just how far I've come in 33 years. Or just how far I haven't come. Depends on your perspective I guess:
-At 18 months, I knew the alphabet and thwarted off repeated attempts by my aunts and uncles to trick me.
-Of course, I was also the only kid in my pre-school class (age 4 and a half) still wearing diapers and sucking his thumb.
-I could do basic arithmetic at the age of 2, and was able to divide (including fractions) in kindergarten (age 5).
-I was also the only kid in kindergarten (age 5) who couldn't do up the zipper to my jacket...always resulting in me throwing a tantrum and crying. My kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Hunter, told my mom that she would have to untie the proverbial apron strings...otherwise I'd never make it to university (age 18).
-Mrs. Hunter wanted me to skip grade 1 after kindergarten (age 5) and go straight to grade 2.
-I would have but I didn't know how to draw or print (despite being able to read) and I cried everytime I couldn't do up the zipper on my jacket. Today, at age 32, some would argue that I still can't draw or print.
-I learned about fire at the age of 7.
-That's because me and brother Jason (age 5 at the time) almost burned down our house playing with matches in our bedroom.
-I obtained my driving learner's license on the day I turned 16, and obtained my full license just 2 months later.
-Just 2 months after obtaining my full license, I totaled my dad's powerful Toyota Supra with my brother Jason and the son of the Mayor of Richmond in the car.
-I got a job at a prestigious accounting firm in my 2nd year of university (age 19)...a firm I stayed with until 2002 (age 28).
-I failed my professional accounting exams at the age of 23...seemingly throwing away 6 years of post-secondary schooling. Thank God the firm kept me in the human resources department.
I came into the Catholic Church at age 18, receiving the Sacraments of Initiation at Easter in April 1993. By age 23, I was a parish youth ministry coordinator. By age 26, I think I finally understood the Rosary (I'm still working on the Liturgy of the Hours...haha). By age 28, I was the directing the Archdiocesan Youth Ministry Office. I'm thankful that Gail introduced me to Jesus and I feel blessed to be working in ministry.
Speaking of Gail, I met her in late 1989 (I was 15 and she was 14), we got engaged in early 1999 (age 24 and age 23...at a youth min function of all places), married in July 2000 (age 26 and age 25), had Sean Isaiah in 2001 (age 27 and age 26) and Jacob Isaac in 2003 (age 29 and age 28). Some people have asked if we regret having kids so early...just a year into our marriage. We respond that we felt that we were ready to be parents, and that we had been preparing for 11 years already!
I learned how to do laundry at the age of 30 (no joke). At age 33, the only things I can cook are eggs, grilled cheese sandwiches, and Ichiban Instant Noodles. Thanks Mom and Dad for spoiling me.
In the past year, I've simplified my life in some respects but complicated it in others. But overall I've become a better person, and my goal is always to improve as a husband, father, friend, boss, and follower of Christ. Speaking of Christ, didn't Jesus do the majority of his ministry when he was 33?
This year I want to get more exercise, get more sleep, and get more family time. I have a group of guys who will hopefully hold me accountable to this...so I'm looking forward to the challenge. Especially as we expect our 3rd child, I'll need to be more present than ever.
Sean will be turning 6 in August, and is finishing up his kindergarten year at mommy's school, St. Paul's. Jake will be turning 4 in September and attending pre-school. I look at them with great pride and joy: they are both toilet trained and able to do up their jacket zippers.
Well, I turn 33 years old today and have been able to reflect (with the help of Gail, my mom, and my brother Jason) on just how far I've come in 33 years. Or just how far I haven't come. Depends on your perspective I guess:
-At 18 months, I knew the alphabet and thwarted off repeated attempts by my aunts and uncles to trick me.
-Of course, I was also the only kid in my pre-school class (age 4 and a half) still wearing diapers and sucking his thumb.
-I could do basic arithmetic at the age of 2, and was able to divide (including fractions) in kindergarten (age 5).
-I was also the only kid in kindergarten (age 5) who couldn't do up the zipper to my jacket...always resulting in me throwing a tantrum and crying. My kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Hunter, told my mom that she would have to untie the proverbial apron strings...otherwise I'd never make it to university (age 18).
-Mrs. Hunter wanted me to skip grade 1 after kindergarten (age 5) and go straight to grade 2.
-I would have but I didn't know how to draw or print (despite being able to read) and I cried everytime I couldn't do up the zipper on my jacket. Today, at age 32, some would argue that I still can't draw or print.
-I learned about fire at the age of 7.
-That's because me and brother Jason (age 5 at the time) almost burned down our house playing with matches in our bedroom.
-I obtained my driving learner's license on the day I turned 16, and obtained my full license just 2 months later.
-Just 2 months after obtaining my full license, I totaled my dad's powerful Toyota Supra with my brother Jason and the son of the Mayor of Richmond in the car.
-I got a job at a prestigious accounting firm in my 2nd year of university (age 19)...a firm I stayed with until 2002 (age 28).
-I failed my professional accounting exams at the age of 23...seemingly throwing away 6 years of post-secondary schooling. Thank God the firm kept me in the human resources department.
I came into the Catholic Church at age 18, receiving the Sacraments of Initiation at Easter in April 1993. By age 23, I was a parish youth ministry coordinator. By age 26, I think I finally understood the Rosary (I'm still working on the Liturgy of the Hours...haha). By age 28, I was the directing the Archdiocesan Youth Ministry Office. I'm thankful that Gail introduced me to Jesus and I feel blessed to be working in ministry.
Speaking of Gail, I met her in late 1989 (I was 15 and she was 14), we got engaged in early 1999 (age 24 and age 23...at a youth min function of all places), married in July 2000 (age 26 and age 25), had Sean Isaiah in 2001 (age 27 and age 26) and Jacob Isaac in 2003 (age 29 and age 28). Some people have asked if we regret having kids so early...just a year into our marriage. We respond that we felt that we were ready to be parents, and that we had been preparing for 11 years already!
I learned how to do laundry at the age of 30 (no joke). At age 33, the only things I can cook are eggs, grilled cheese sandwiches, and Ichiban Instant Noodles. Thanks Mom and Dad for spoiling me.
In the past year, I've simplified my life in some respects but complicated it in others. But overall I've become a better person, and my goal is always to improve as a husband, father, friend, boss, and follower of Christ. Speaking of Christ, didn't Jesus do the majority of his ministry when he was 33?
This year I want to get more exercise, get more sleep, and get more family time. I have a group of guys who will hopefully hold me accountable to this...so I'm looking forward to the challenge. Especially as we expect our 3rd child, I'll need to be more present than ever.
Sean will be turning 6 in August, and is finishing up his kindergarten year at mommy's school, St. Paul's. Jake will be turning 4 in September and attending pre-school. I look at them with great pride and joy: they are both toilet trained and able to do up their jacket zippers.
posted by Clay at 1:09 AM
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