26. Used to be Young.

I believe it was 2014 when I saw Ed Sheeran in concert, second row right in front of him. It was an amazing show, an unforgettable experience, and a great time. Except, the front row was full of teenage girls screaming nonsense to Ed. I was a little annoyed because just three years ago, or even the summer before, they probably didn't know who he was... until RED Tour (thanks Taylor!). But then again, if Ed hadn't gotten popular by the Swifties, he probably wouldn't have come to the States, so I was thankful that he was, even if the only reason these girls were there is because they think he's cute. 

Then, I remembered when I saw Cher... it was an amazing experience that I recommend everyone. We had floor seats, a few rows from the stage, and surrounded by people double my age. Some of them were in wheelchairs! These older people were probably my age, or younger, when they started following Cher. To these older people, I WAS THE ANNOYING TEENAGE GIRL! They were there before I was a fan. Possibly even before I was born. Someday, God allows, I will be their age, hanging on to my walker, and still singing along to Cher on her 50th Farewell Tour (let's face it, that bitch ain't going nowhere), and I will be annoyed by more annoying young fans.

I often remind myself of a saying I heard years ago (loosely translated): The way you look like now, I once did too; the way I look now, you will also look. 

Even though I have a few more years to go, I fear the day I'll wake up to find wrinkles and more white hairs. I am not ready. I don't think I will ever be. I mean, has anyone?

It feels like it was just five years ago when I was rocking out to Simple Plan, but it's actually been 20 years since I first saw them live. Early in my thirties I saw them again, and it felt like yesterday, like Time had not passed, but my feet said otherwise.

I used to be young, everyone used to be young, and we all were annoying to someone. That's the only constant in this unpredictable ride we call Life. We just have to keep going, enjoy the little things, love whatever/whoever you want and live however you want as long as you don't hurt anyone - and let others do the same. Life is too short. Especially if you have a dog.

[ ...Relax. Take it Easy. ]