Q is for Quadragenarian

Ruth Huber Park is usually crowded, filled with soccer balls and the children who kick them, toddlers and the parents who swing them. Filled with noise and sunshine. But, at 6 AM, the park is quiet and misty. The Quadragenarian makes her way pass the playground equipment and toward the line of trees on the far edge of the park. She longs for the stillness of the park to penetrate her being. To calm her wild mind. She knows she shouldn't hold in all the struggles she's bearing, she should give them up to the Lord. But, she's tired and worn, so she puts it off for another day. Lately, her life has been spinning and swirling, and when she falls into bed each night, she prays, no begs, for peace. Most nights she finds blackness, which she decides, is fine. Dreams are overrated, and really, they were meant for the young. 

She used to dream ferociously, reckless movies while she slept. She used to dream longingly, romance unattained. She used to dream effortlessly, floating down a nighttime river to the dawn. Now, she doesn't spend her sleeping energy dreaming, she just...goes...to...sleep. 

Last night was far different, and it stayed for so long. She dreamed that she traveled back many years and watched her young self from afar. She saw herself insecure--looking into a mirror, crying at the shape of her face and wave in her hair. She felt for a moment the sting of regret. Disappointment was tearing into her soul. Opportunities lost. Anguish overwhelming. Too late to go back, she saw her former self hurting, broken and alone. She watched the girl write pleas for help in a diary, then lock its secrets inside.
When she woke in this state, she knew, for some reason, she was to come to this park. She prayed, "Why God? What will I find?" 
His answer was a whisper, "Go. There are things that need to be heard"

So, the Quadragenarian climbed into the family car, and drove to the park. She walked to edge of the woods and she waited. Waited to be heard. Perhaps she had come here to tell the girl of her youth all the things that she needed to know,

"You are so beautiful. Your face is so perfect, you've barely a flaw. Enjoy your supple skin, for one day you will have wrinkles, like me! And, these wrinkles, well, that's all you will see! 
"And why are you filled with regret? Life is not over! You have many things still to do. You don't know it now, but, one day,  the world will be different; different because of you. 
"And as for your secrets, don't hold them inside! Don't lock up your heart in your journal! You have no reason to hide! And, trust in your Father, lean close to Him. He got plans for your future, and that time begins now."

The Quadragenarian waited. She waited and wondered. Wondered when the time would arrive for her words to be said? Just then in the trees, a shadow appeared. Approaching her slowly was woman far past her prime, and as she got closer, the Quadragenarian saw herself in the smile. The familiar old woman then reached out with her words, and she spoke ever so carefully what needed to be heard,

"I am Octogenarian, and I must say, you are so beautiful. Your face is so perfect, you've barely a flaw. Enjoy your   wonderful skin, for one day you will have wrinkles, like me! And, these wrinkles, well, that's all they will see! 
"And why are you filled with regret? Life is not over! You have many things still to do. You don't know it now, but, one day,  the world will be different; different because of you. 
"And as for your secrets, don't hold them inside! Don't lock up your heart in your mind!  You have no reason to hide. And, trust in your Father, lean close to Him. He got plans for your future, and that time begins now."