Never Too Old

Ryan teaches me all kinds of things just by being Ryan, and in the last week, he taught me another valuable life lesson.

He called from work one day and said he had determined his handwriting was unacceptable, and he would be working to improve it immediately. I love him with my whole heart, but he does have challenging-to-read handwriting. I will give him that! Part of it is that he forms such tiny letters, so you really have to focus to read. Beyond that, it's just genuinely hard to read. 

That very night, he came home and printed out some worksheets on handwriting and began his own self-induced class on improving his writing. He doesn't work on it every single day, but he does work on it regularly. (We also have an adorable third-grade-looking worksheet hanging on the refrigerator sporting some of his cursive work.)

It makes me giggle, because when he shows me his work, I don't recognize it. His handwriting now does not look like "his" handwriting at all. But I can read it. The letters are larger and more legible, and I am proud of him for working so hard to make an improvement.

I could stand to join him, of course, I used to have fabulous handwriting, but it has gotten progressively worse as I've gotten older. I blame it on actually being a writer. My mind moves much faster than my hand, so if I want to get all those thoughts on paper before they evaporate, I have to MOVE. That means I have no time for pretties. Just write and go on. And now it's just bad.

But what Ryan taught me through this whole handwriting class adventure actually has nothing to do with writing itself and everything to do with his heart. 

He has taught me that you're never too old to realize when something needs to be improved, and you're never beyond taking a few steps backwards to make those improvements. Being in your forties doesn't mean you're too good or too old for those elementary school worksheets if that's what it takes to improve your handwriting skills. 

We tend to very quickly make excuses about how or why we shouldn't bother with something because we're too old to learn or too set in our ways to mess with it. But we aren't. Maybe because we're "old," the learning might come at a slower pace, but we're not exempt.

What do you think you're "too old" to learn or do? And are you really?

For example...I know I'd love to learn pretty hand-lettering. I don't necessarily want to learn calligraphy, but some sort of fun, scripty handwritten fonts that could make little notes extra cute. 

I'd also love to learn how to crochet. I started learning from Sarah right before we left WillowBridge, but then all of the wrapping up work and packing took over and I never had time to continue my lessons. 

And even if I never work in an actual coffee shop, I'd still love to learn some legitimate barista skills - just to use at home! 

Thanks, Ryan, for inspiring me to keep learning!!!!