I had a strange experience this afternoon ... just for fun, I dug up some of my very old stories from many years ago, and I found a young-adult novel series I started about a homeschool graduate named Cecily Joy Sands and her police-officer-in-training boyfriend, Tyler Stevens. I remembered that I'd had high hopes for those two; so I pulled out the two stories I had begun and started to read them.
I was flabbergasted. Where had these two happy, innocent characters, with such a peaceful and uncomplicated friendship, come from? Did I really used to be that balanced and optimistic? Did I really used to be so unafraid of dating and falling in love? Tyler and CJ talk so openly and calmly with each other - in one story, they go to a relative's wedding together and talk about how to field the awkward questions about whether they're engaged or not; and in another story, Tyler is competing in a county rodeo after a bad accident and dealing with some nervousness about that, and Cecily Joy helps him overcome those fears. They each give encouraging hand-holds and pats on the shoulder when the other is having a bad time; they tease and joke with each other; they talk together like best friends. They don't have any of the creepy/uncomfortable/complicated thoughts that my tormented characters of today have to deal with.
And even though those stories were written 5+ years ago, when my contact with boys was extremely limited, Tyler is by far the most realistic young man I have ever written in any of my stories before. He flops on the grass and drinks Coke until it bubbles in his nose, but in the next scene he talks in a very manly way about how much he appreciates CJ's commitment to modesty and holy behavior. He whines like a kid on the phone about having to go to his cousin's wedding, but once he gets there, he is polite and considerate to everyone and talks soberly with CJ about how the solemnity of the wedding vows makes him more serious about their relationship.
Honestly - I kind of suspect that someone else hacked my computer and wrote these stories. I don't remember EVER having such relaxed, well-balanced views of men and romance.
Perhaps a closer study of my younger self's attitudes might be in order?
1 comment:
Vickie!
You are so wonderful!
Thank you for passing that song along to D and I ... we both listened to it. It really does fit us well! :) You're so sweet to be thinking of us!
And you have asked about my strep throat ... thank you again! Yes, I'm feeling much better ... I'm not very good at being sick. I get all sorts of needy, whiney, and the likes. ;) Not very pretty.
I love reading your daily logs. I am praying for you that God will continue to renew your mind and that your fears and worries will be at rest in Him. I've found that trusting Him to help you make wise decisions (in any area but especially in relationships) is a way to peace. And since He is leading He will lead you to a good and worthy man (if that is in His will). And being with a good and worthy man (although still fallible and human) definitely brings about peace, joy, and growth.
I'm rambling, aren't I?
:)
I appreciate you, dear! And your honest self!
Love to you!
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