When I was a kid, I remember being told that most trends in life were cyclical. From music to fashion to TV shows, people would say, "Just give it a few years and that will be cool again." But to be honest, I always kind of thought that was just something adults said to make themselves feel better about getting older.
Recently, however, I was made very aware that most things in life are, in fact, running on some sort of unseen cycle, and it was kind of a slap to the face.
Who knew, right? (Well, aside from all of the adults who told me things always come back around.)
A few weeks ago, we were at a birthday party for a friend's son, who was turning 4. We were surrounded by a gaggle of screaming, running, jumping 4-, 5- and 6-year-old boys. As the birthday boy started opening his presents, I looked around and realized that he got almost the exact same things I got when I was that age. Ninja Turtles and T-ball equipment.
In fact, all the little guys running around were dressed as either a Ninja Turtle or Superman or Spider-Man ... you know, things my friends and I used to dress as when we were that age almost 25 years ago.
Twenty-five years ago. That's a quarter of a century.
So I started thinking about other ways this cycle was manifesting itself. And the perfect place to look was Walmart.
In a single trip I saw Jimi Hendrix and AC/DC T-shirts, G.I. Joe action figures, Ninja Turtles galore (I keep hitting on this because that was my favorite thing as a kid), Transformers, Thunder Cats action figures, someone with a bowl haircut. (To be fair, that last one probably isn't back in style. But kudos to that guy for hanging on to a classic.)
Even in my own life, I own a ton of Run DMC and Beastie Boys music, which are now cool again. I have an ever growing collection of vinyl, also now cool again. When sportscasters talk about a great player from 20 years ago, he was likely one of my childhood favorites. I own Nike Air Max 90s. And I cuff my jeans (which really goes way, way back).
Speaking of that last one, it seems like the 1950s fashions have made a comeback. From ladies wearing a little polka-dot dresses, horn-rimmed glasses and saddle shoes to men now favoring the "gentlemen's" haircut with a pair of Converse and a pair of cuffed jeans and a plaid shirt. I half expect to see a "Happy Days" section every time I go to GAP now.
Or look at Bruno Mars, who's basically a young Sammy Davis Jr.
It all comes back around.
Then I realized that as a father, this is really good news for me. Caroline is 11 months old now. It seems like almost every day she learns to do something new, and most days it's something that brings her one step closer to her independence. She has an already impressive bag of one syllable words that she likes to throw around. She can feed herself ... sort of. She sleeps all night long. In her own room. Alone.
She's growing up.
Soon she won't need my help eating at all. She'll be able to dress herself. She'll make friends at school and won't need to hang out with daddy. She'll start doing her own laundry and cleaning her own room (Right?). She'll get in a car and drive off to college and start her future.
But with each of these things, there will always be a need for daddy at some point. Every step of independence will eventually circle back around to her needing me. And that's a good feeling, but what's most important is that I don't miss my turn at coming back around.
I know people, and I'm sure most of you do to, who have been waiting their whole life for something to make it's way back around. But often times they spend so much energy focusing on how things used to be that they miss it when their turn is up again.
So right now make the decision that you're not going to be the person wearing a jean jacket saying, "These used to be so cool, they'll come back," completely oblivious to everyone around you walking around in jean jackets.
Instead, be prepared to enjoy those things you used to love when they make their big comeback. Whether it's Ninja Turtles or your daughter asking you to help her with a problem, be ready for it, because it's coming ... soon or later, it's coming.
For more follow me on Twitter at @CN_ChrisP. May the force be with you.
cpinkard@blythevillecourier.com