* Cat Woman Unleashed On An Unsuspecting World

For years my family has tried to keep this picture "under wraps." It surfaced last evening as I was searching for a new Facebook profile picture. I passed by it once and as I flipped back through, it came up like a family skeleton rattling her bones in the closet. Yes, there I was...double bubble hair style with angel bangs, black cat-eyed glasses with rhinestones. I looked like a young version of Miss Jane on the Beverly Hillbillies. I was quite a dish.

Ah, the "awkward" stages of life. The sad part of this one is that I probably pretended that I thought I looked pretty hip. What else could I do? My vision wasn't worth a flip and since contacts were out of the question at this stage in history, I thought I was doomed to look like Cat Woman forever. My father thought he'd prove how really lovely I was, hence the "portrait" setting for the picture. When I saw this for the first time, I was devastated.

My granddaughter is still in shock over the picture. "Who is that person?" she asked. "Well, dear, that's me when I was in the 7th or 8th grade. I was in an awkward time of life," I responded. "How awkward?" she persisted. "Very."

Isn't it nice what a few years will do? It softens the blow of growing pains. It's funny how we stagger between awkward "times" and nice plateaus. I'm in one of the staggering times right now. Not really the oldest stage, but certainly no spring chicken anymore...maybe sort of "oldish". But there is something I can tell you about being "oldish", it's not nearly as bad as I make it out to be. There are some great parts of being old. Now let me think. What are some of those great things? Well, nevermind, you get my drift.

It is ironic though that we make a complete circle from birth until death. Awkwardness begins with the birth process...things rock along and then comes sitting up and standing and trying to walk...speaking of awkward! Walking in big ole diapers is tough. Then we are ok until around the age of 12. Now I don't know about you, but from 7-9th grade was just torture for me. (As witnessed by the above picture.) Thank goodness we weather that storm and stay the course for the next couple of decades. The 40's aren't bad, but the wind begins to rock the boat a little by the late forties. The fifties are a prelude to what's coming....storm clouds gather and then there we are...back to trying to keep our balance and stay away from Depends if possible. There you have it....the complete circle..almost.

My point here is that awkwardness is just one of those hurdles in life that we all have to jump. So no matter where you are in the "circle" we are all in it together. We need to be mindful of each others' positions along the way. That way we can help each other along from one stage to another. So wherever you are, my friends, know that somebody has either been there or will be there soon. Be kind.