When was the first time you realized you're getting up there in years? I mean, I know that getting old is all relative but sometimes it just hits you like a ton of bricks...when you start talking about things like your parents did when you were little and it was soooo annoying because really, ten years can't go by that fast.
Yesterday I had two experiences that reminded me that indeed, time passes more quickly than I had ever realized and good grief, I'm getting older.
I recently reconnected with a friend on Facebook that I haven't seen hide nor hair of in ten years. We spent a summer study abroad in Zimbabwe together back in 1999. I KNOW. Nineteen-ninety- freakin'-nine. That's like pre-21st century. And seven months before I graduated from college.
Then last night, I attended a church fireside with Jenny Phillips, a well known Mormon singer-songwriter. Guess who she's married to? Dan Phillips. The same Dan Phillips that was in my ward at BYU in 1998. The same Dan Phillips that was one of my best good friends that year. The same Dan Phillips who, bless his heart, never complained about having to hang out with me by default because my roommate loved his roommate. And yes, the same Dan Phillips that I haven't seen in twelve years.
Last time I saw him, I was 19, still in shape, and growing out an ill advised bowl cut.
He's been married for eleven years. He has four kids. He still looks exactly the same. Except now he reminds me of Steve Carell. Of course, I didn't know all these years that he reminded me of Steve Carell because no one even knew who Steve Carell was back in 1998.
Other things that make me feel old:
1. I used to have a pretty good memory, but ever since I've been pregnant, I can't remember a damn thing. I keep confusing groups of friends from different eras of my life. I think that everyone I know should know each other.
What I forget is that some of them are BYU friends, others are mission friends, others are post-mission friends, etc. and that they have no reason to know one another. It's kind of embarrassing when I try to force a friendship on someone. I say, "Yeah, you know her! Remember when she..." and the other person is looking at me like I'm nuts. I very rarely pick up on the cue because I'm so excited I can actually remember something about someone.
2. Gifford Nielsen is now an area authority for the church for the Houston, Texas area. Yeah, Gifford Nielsen who used to be a prolific BYU quarterback and who I used to watch tapes of when I was really young. He's coming to speak to the young single adults (which I still think I am, but apparently I'm not) this Sunday. None of them even know who he is.
5 comments:
the fireside with Elder Nielson is for the entire stake. sunday at 5.
So did you know about the Dan Phillips/Jenny Phillips connections before you went to the fireside or not until you got there and saw him? I'm bummed I missed it -- but I cried in the van listening to the CD today. Does that count?
Yeah, I have those "feeling old" moments a lot these days -- maybe it's because I am older now than my mom was when she became a grandma?? Naw. Like being able to say, "So-and-so and I were best friends in kindergarten 35 years ago." Or when the missionaries come over and they find out I served in the Canada Toronto Mission they say something like, "Hey, my friend went there. Maybe you know..." And then I butt in and say, "Um, yeah, y'all were born the year I went on my mission, so nope I don't think I would have known your friend." :)
Oh, and thanks for the yummy tomatoes and cucumber! I had a tomato tonight on my pizza and it was delish!
Some of our young singles know who Elder Nielsen is....buuuuut, they're in your age bracket. So, uh, not THAT young. Sorry.
I'm so glad you thought Dan Phillips looks like Steve Carrell. That particular fact distracted my sister and I for a good 5 minutes when he stood up. I was like, "JULIE! He looks just like Michael Scott!" and she replied, "It's a mousy Steve Carrell!"
And then we giggled like immature 5th graders.
I feel like EmJeter just mildly insulted the Young Single Adults, namely ME!, who do know who Gifford Nielson is and remember watching him play. I am NOT that old! I was 17 just yesterday! I promise!
~The Other Emily
Post a Comment