This is so true, for so many things in my life. I put writing aside at one point in my career, because the time and bandwidth writing took up interfered with what I had to do to focus on my career and family. They were priorities at the time, so I put writing on the shelf. When, later on, I found myself with more time on my hands, I picked it back up where I’d left off, and hadn’t lost a thing — in fact, the perspective I had gained from the many more years lived, gave my writing much more depth, I had a lot more experience to share, and I wasn’t as concerned about what readers would think. I just wrote.

Same with playing ball. I put that activity I loved aside in my late 20’s, instead devoting myself to being there for my son, as he played ball, then as he pursued other interests, like theater and writing. When I turned 50, he was at an age where he didn’t need me around quite as much, so I returned to playing competitive softball. I still had my skills, and in fact, I’d become a better player than I ever was. I was better at using my head on the field, instead of relying so much on my athleticism. I played for 11 years, loving every minute of it, and retired when I was ready to.