What do I miss the most about being young?

When I was younger I was very insecure and was always worried about what people think. I still worry sometimes but most of the time I think, it doesn't really matter because I am who I am. Like Seus said:

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind."

 I would love to say that it was all in my head but my dad and my dad’s sisters told me I was treated different than my siblings. I was always getting sick. I was slower. One thing that I did have was health, a thin body (they worried I was too thin) which is a laugh because now I can’t loose weight. This is why I don’t push food on my daughter. I’m trying to teach her how to tell when she isn’t hungry. So far her metabolism is good and she is thin but I remind her that I was thin and not to take it for granted.

Mom, age 47 and I, age 16 in 1978.

I was fairly healthy even though I got sick all the time. Compare to how I am now, I was very healthy. I didn’t have aches and pains, I could walk fast (but not run fast). I was agile even though I was clumsy and uncoordinated. Now I’m clumsy again because of my fibro.

Natalie, age 9 and I age 45.

I look at pictures of me now and think..what happened? The one thing that is better, and this is an important thing, I’m much happier and more secure. I was thin in high school but always insecure.

Katharine, age 22 in 1984 in Palos Verdes, California over looking the Pacific Ocean.

Now, 30 years later, I’m older & heavier but able to easily smile to people I barely knew. I wish I was that way when I was younger because I could have conquered the world. Now I try to conquer it in my mind. Lol

Samohi's 30th Reunion

I compliment Natalie but I make sure I compliment her on the things she can do and not just how she looks. She is beautiful and smart but she doesn’t think so. That saddens me because I say “look in the mirror” you are gorgeous. I’m always getting complimented on how beautiful she is, especially her eyes. She has the best features of her dad and I.

Natalie, age 12, Summer 2010

Now I understand the saying, youth is wasted on the young. We don’t appreciate anything when we are young, like we do when we are older.