A Little Older, A Little Wiser

Two months ago, a co-worker told me, with much excitement, that her daughter had met the man of her dreams. He had already started making elaborate Valentine’s Day plans that would include her daughter (we’ll call her Jackie), her son (Jackie’s brother), and Jackie’s three-year-old boy, who we’ll call Alec. Liz, my co-worker, thought it sounded great that he wanted to get to know her whole family and was accepting of the fact that she’s a single mom.

Liz went on to say that this miracle man had told Jackie he wasn’t into casual relationships but wanted something serious. Red flags were going up everywhere for me, but Liz was so pleased with this situation that I kept quiet. Well, my face maybe revealed my thinking, but I didn’t say anything. I could see where Liz would be happy, but it just didn’t sit right with me.

Well, two weeks later Dream Boat gave himself away when he learned that Alec’s father was still in the picture. Now, Alec’s father is not a good person and has since been banned by Children’s Services from seeing his son, but that wasn’t the point at the time. Dream Boat flew into a jealous rage and Jackie stopped talking to him as a result. It looked like the fire had gone out, and I was glad to hear it.

However, Valentine’s Day came upon us and Dream Boat sent Jackie 300 red roses with a tiara in the middle and a banner bearing her name. Later a box from Crumbl Cookies arrived with a note saying his life had just begun when he met Jackie. Red flags red flags. Jackie fell for it and starting talking to him again. Liz bore down on her daughter and told her this man was stalker material. Both Liz and I knew a vulnerable young woman like Jackie was at risk.

Eventually, one of Jackie’s close friends learned about Dream Boat and told Jackie the same thing Liz had been saying–this man is trouble. Jackie cut it off, and while he’s still calling from time to time, he hasn’t been as persistent in pursuing her as we all feared he might be.

It’s hard for parents to tell their children to bail out of a given situation, especially when the kids are enchanted by some part of it. I remember my mom telling me stop working for the man who gave me what I later called my dream job from hell. At the time Mom warned me, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to travel through Europe. I continued on this job until it became evident the disadvantages far outweighed the advantages, and given how exciting those advantages were, you can guess how bad that job got.

As I get older and find myself less valued by a society that places such worth on youth and innovation, I am saddened that the wisdom I’ve gained isn’t respected as much as it should be by the younger generation. There are exceptions, and I’m grateful for those. My lament is the same as those seniors who’ve gone before me, and I suppose when those currently enjoying the prime of their life age and grow gray they will be saying the same thing. But it’s sad.

I can only hope that some things I say make sense to those who think they know better than me. I’m not saying I’m the bearer of all wisdom, but hey, a little older, a little wiser.

Image Credits: Owl © Nattapat; Cupid’s arrow © Vink Fan; Red Flag ©  Kamonwan; Seniors ©  chacha — all, stock.adobe.com