Nerd is not a word I would use to describe myself;I am simply not smart enough to be a nerd (not fishing for a complement, just stating a fact).  I also most definitely was not a cool “kid” either.  In high school, all those years ago, I was not invited to those cool kid parties (yes, I am over it😫).  I used to sit at home on Friday nights and imagine what fun and totally cool things were going on.  Come Monday there would be quiet whispers just out of earshot about what happened.  Alas, I accepted my life as an uncool.

Fast forward to a year ago and I was invited to join some of my classmates at a local pub.  I was very uncertain about going but I did.  It was a great time.  But I did realize that the cool kids were now cool adults and I was still uncool.  Luckily,  the coolness factor just was not as important as it once was.

Last weekend my host family (definitely cool kids) invited me to join them at a friend’s 50th birthday party.  I knew going in that I was not going to know anyone but I decided to put myself out there for a change and come what may.  As soon as I hit the door I was telling my story, listening to really cool stories and mingling.  Later in the evening the birthday girl and her friends started a jam session.  You could hear the music by the really cool bonfire while drinking really cool local beer on tap.  The attitude was casual and friendly.  Everyone brought a dish, so you had an eclectic mix of food and beverage.   I talked to many people and laughed a lot.

On the way home, as I sat in the afterglow, I realized that at 53 years old I finally made it to my first cool kids party and it felt good.  It was not so much about what happened as it was about the connections made.  I got some email addresses of people who I wanted to follow as they also pursued their own life changes.  I hope we can stay in contact and encourage each other along the twisting road that is a 360 degree change.

I sure did have a good time and feel so blessed that I was able to experience such an amazing event.  Had I been a cool kid in school, this party might not have been a big deal.  But for uncool me, it was a true highlight of my quest and journey.  Everyone was so welcoming, I hope to be more like those cool kids in my everyday life.  Funny how something so simple can be so inspiring.

Here’s to cool kids making nice with the uncool.  We need each other to make the world a better place indeed.  Oh what fun was had!