The Late Twenties (Ah ha!)

On January 14, 1978 – a cooolllld winter day in Washington, D.C.– a lovely, young couple welcomed their BEEAUUTIFUL baby girl into the world. She was (and still is) a big old cry baby with a big old laugh who likes to have A BIG OLD GOOD TIME!! Do the math and you’ll figure out that was TWENTY-NINE years ago today. So, don’t ask me how old I THOUGHT I was… but it wasn’t until a couple weeks back when someone referred to me as a person in her “late twenties” that I realized (gasp) I am actually in my LATE TWENTIES. OMG!! Talk about an “ah ha” moment….

After the initial shock, I began to think back on my “early twenties.” My best friend recently called me a “soul-searcher,” so I guess I did some soul-searching. I went from macro thoughts -- where was I, what was I doing, how was I thinking, what were my goals… to micro thoughts – what trendy clothes was I wearing, how was I wearing my hair, who were my boyfriends, my favorite songs, my favorite hangouts, my homies…. When my “soul-searching” was complete, I THANKED GOD that my “early twenties” were OVER. I mean… they were FULL of great times, lots of fun and great lessons, yes! But, the woman I am today – the beautiful woman with twenty-nine wonderful years of life experience and wisdom… man! I would NEVER trade her in for that cute, young lady from my early twenties! NEVER!

So, in celebration of my twenty-ninth year and to kick off the series of posts that I’ll publish to my blog, I conducted a little survey (a mix of self-surveying and the surveying of others). The result: this quick journey down memory lane. TWENTY-NINE REASONS WHY MY “LATE TWENTIES” AREN’T SO BAD AFTER ALL…. (in no particular order)

1. Wisdom – Yeah, I’ll admit it. I was kinda dumb in my early twenties. But, my late twenties have seen me achieve brilliance! As my mom would say, I’m “as smart as a whip” now! With a college degree, a few years of career experience, several flat tires and countless life lessons under my belt… you might as well call me a late twenties genius who becomes wiser and wiser as the days go by! :-)

2. Priorities – My major concerns in my early twenties: 1) taking steps towards career goals, 2) having a good time. BUT in my late twenties, I realized that, while my career is important (a sista has to eat)…my friends and fun are great (work hard, play harder, right?), MY SPIRIT is what matters most. My priorities shifted. I gave my spirit greater portions of bread to eat (bread of life). When I was thirsty, I grabbed my glass full of grace, mercy and favor that was poured for me day in and day out. And, before I knew it… all of that bread and that stuff in the glass had my spirit growing like wild flowers! Thank God for ordering my priorities!

3. Beauty – Forget lots of eyeliner, long acrylic nails and revealing clothes, those were “early twenties” things. In my late twenties, I’ve grown into myself. On the surface, I’ve learned to embrace my natural beauty. I mean, the women at the M.A.C. counter are still my friends, but at the end of the day... I look like ME, not a little girl who’s trying to look grown. And, more importantly, I’ve learned that inner beauty is most important.

4. Friendship – Having seen many friendships from my teens fade, through my early twenties, I learned the importance of “true friends” – learned how to differentiate friends from acquaintances. By my late twenties, I had solid friendships that I know will stand the test of time! (and I LOVE all my girls to death!!)

5. Strength – I thank God for several tests that turned into testimonies during my early twenties. Through them, I have concluded two things: 1) life experience – every tough time, every trial – really DOES make us stronger. 2) But, even when we aren’t strong enough (mentally, physically, emotionally), God is MIGHTY -- that means He’s STRONG enough to “hold it together until we get it together!”

6. Intimacy – I was in the process of getting to know myself in my early 20s – what do I like, what will I tolerate, what are my goals, etc.…. At this point, I’m pretty far along in that process and can confidently say that I am intimately familiar with myself. Ask me anything about Deisha, I bet I have an answer for you! :-)

7. Style – I have my own. No more copy cat, trying to keep up with the Joneses or dress like every other girls on campus. If big earrings are my thing… and someone calls them ghetto, that’s cool. In my late twenties, my style is MY style… It’s part of what makes me ME… and you don’t have to like it, boo! :-)

8. Hurdles-Crossed – I may only be 29, but I have crossed many hurdles in my day! As a matter of fact, in my late twenties, my hurdle-jumping form is lookin’ pretty good (if I have to say so myself)!! I might get a little down every now and then, but hurdles ain’t nothing! We jump those every day around here! :-)

9. Consistency – Yes, I'm a little inconsistent when it comes to certain things; however, my late-twenties have come with an appreciation for the things that are consistent in life. My ride-or-die friends are consistently by my side – for better or for worse. My favorite Escada perfume consistently smells wonderfully! Atlanta is still hot in August. God is consistently good. Ahhh… thank Him for the consistent things in life!

10. Taste – My early twenties saw me listening to Lil Kim and Trina – reciting their X-rated lyrics at the top of my lungs with my hands in the air in someone’s smoky club. Craziness… In my late twenties, however, I’ve realized that we really should be mindful of what our ears and eyes take in. It can change the way we look at life. Taste something new. Check out India.Arie. Tune in to Praise 97.5 F.M.… your mindset will thank you later. :-)

This post will be entirely too long if I continue listing my “reasons why” with such long explanations. So… here are the others in short form (holler at me if you want the details): 11) fun; 12) confidence; 13) travels; 14) technology; 15) discernment; 16) success; 17) saying no; 18) the kitchen; 19) this, too, shall pass; 20) courage; 21) roses; 22) honesty; 23) faith; 24) I’m grown!

And, I just decided that these are THE TOP FIVE REASONS WHY MY “LATE TWENTIES” AREN’T SO BAD AFTER ALL….

(drumroll, please)

25. Children – In my late twenties, I’ve found that children REALLY are infinitely precious… they can brighten your day with a simple “hey auntie”… they are stronger and smarter than we might think… Whitney was right - they ARE the future.

26. Understanding – My late twenties have seen me develop a better understanding of life, death, love, people, myself,purpose… God’s plan.

27. Tomorrow – Little orphan Annie was right when she sang, “the sun will come out… TOMORROW.” Yes, Psalm 30: 5 is correct -- Joy does come in the morning! :-)

28. Heaven – Several of my loved ones moved into their mansions in the sky during my late twenties. So, I have a greater love for the idea that there is a Heaven! In fact, I REALLY want to go! I have a stronger faith that the streets up there ARE paved with gold… there’s no more sickness, no more sorrow… always “howdy-howdy” and NEVER “good-bye.” :-)

29. Mystery – A few months back, I realized that there is peace in embracing the mystery of what life has in store. Where a relationship is going? What’s around the corner? Who knows? But, there’s peace in knowing that it will all work together for my good!

Yep... my “late twenties” aren’t so bad after all. Now, I’m sure there are folks who might say, “my late twenties were nothing compared to my 40s or 50s.” There are others who can’t fathom the thought of actually being in their LATE twenties (it just seems so OLD). But, as for me… somehow I looked up and found myself not smack dab in the middle of my late twenties… but, I found myself hanging on to them by a freaking thread!!! So… while I can still claim you, late twenties, I LOVE and EMBRACE you! I realize (ah ha) that you aren’t so bad after all! :-)

Happy Jan. 14th to you… Happy Birthday to me. Thanks for checking out my blogspot. :-)

p.s. -- next week's post won't be this long, I promise! :-)