Maybe this is what they were talking about

That young face, a head of hair without gray

An all-too-peppy personality that makes ya doubt

The people who criticized me come into my frontal lobe

And for some reason I feel it’s up to me to make her know

If I were watching a movie of myself, I wouldn’t like my character

Is this what Jesus meant when he said to take the plank out of my own eye first?

Why are my own wounds and insecurities a reason to inflict hurt?

She came into my office this morning and shut the door

I thought to myself She couldn’t be older than 24

She spoke of her engagement and a new sore

Gave me some history

It was all so icky

She wanted my professional opinion though she was talking as if to a friend

I looked out the window and tried to pretend the whole thing didn’t bother me

But she stuck out her tongue and I looked – at that and her throat

At the white pasty coat

I gave her a diagnosis and a little sentence of hope

A few tidbits of my mid-30s wisdom too

I rehashed a story from when I was 22

She laughed, those dimples popped like wildflowers in spring

Much like her innocent personality

She smiled and thanked me

I thought about how maybe we’ll be working together a long time

I hope not – because I hope she moves on to better things

I added, “Hey, you’re doing a good job”

She gave a humble nod

And I thought about when I was 22

There’s a million things I wish I knew

It’s a tad bit better at 35

I can’t believe my eyes – I’m 13 years older than my sweet assistant

How it’s got me reminiscent

I climbed a lot of mountains to be a quasi-doctor

Along the way I learned that more than medicine, kindness is what I should offer

Cuz when you’re 22 the world is new

And everything’s a mountain

But beyond the mountains are mountains

The cards were dealt so she’s stuck with me

Our office is where she begins

I won’t tear her down, I’ll help her climb

Via encouragement and words that are kind

Nothing’s worse than a crotchety old-timer

I can’t believe I’m old

But I’m not going out crotchety

Or returning a searing remark that some cruel soul gave me

I’m pulling the plank out of my eye

Anything to not make that young girl cry

There’s no crime in being young

When I was 22 there were a lot of words that stung

I didn’t know anything then

But I kept climbing the mountain

I hope she does too

Before long, she’ll no longer be 22