Anjasaurus

You know what I mean. That group of people bunched together just because of a few bodily features. Those beautiful, loving, intelligent, handsome, fun and tricky persons that I love to hate. And hate to love. And just simply love.

A five year old boy can charm me anyday. I’m sure he has practiced on his mum and other females around him, but it doesn’t change the fact that he wants my attention and actually goes out to get it. If he can read me better than I can, who am I to refuse? With his small chubby hands and huge eyes and that convincing smile. Somehow he also shows signs of the man he will become, and it fascinates me.

A ten year old boy can charm me anyday. He doesn’t use the same tactics as five years ago, but he still knows exactly how to get my attention. He still uses his childishness when it suits him, but claims to be a big boy when there is something dangerous to be done. His way of thinking fascinates me. What makes him laugh, what makes him sad? What’s boring, and why?

A fifteen year old boy (now, is he really a boy?) can charm me anyday. This is the trickiest part, where I actually hate them while I still like them. The hormones, the illogical behaviour, the anger and the rule-breaking. At the same time the vulnerability, the caring, the love and the rationality and humor. Their own kind of humor, and ability to handle sarcasm and irony. How can you not be fascinated with what kind of man this boy might become? What kind of man he is now? What is important in his life, apart from the obvious, what makes him laugh, is there something a person like me (as a teacher and almost grown-up) can do to make this person safer, happier? This is the age where I will spend most of my time. This is the age I will teach. Can you tell I long for it already? :)

A twenty year old boy (and this is definitely boy) can charm me anyday. His appetite for life, and its opportunities and experiences. The humor, the flexibility, the search for everything that’s fun. And, since this is the age where I’m at, I shouldn’t lie. This is where the boyish features and the manly ones mix in a perfect way to create perfect guys. Those you can spend hours looking at, for their looks only. And spend at least half an hour laughing at, for making silly things. Somewhere in between twenty and thirty, something happens. Or rather, a lot of things happen. During this time, the boy I look at becomes the man I admire, respect and look up to.

A thirty year old man can charm me anyday. With experiences comes confidence. The aura of confidence I find in some men this age always strikes me. It’s unpolished but scaringly effective. They can take over the world, and they will. With brute force, if they must. Those who already have children in this age really attracts me. Not in the sexual way, but I love watching them. There is some kind of soothing, calming aura around a lot of them, I feel happy and content.

A forty year old man can charm me anyday. Surprised? The confidence has often reached more, should I say, polished levels. He knows what he can do, those he care about knows too. He doesn’t have to show it to the world. But there is still things to achieve, things to be done. Those that catch my eye often have an established family life, or have had one, and are quite safely seated in the world. The silent but strong love for the things they have and have achieved shines. Their experience being far above my level, I often find myself silent in their company, and enjoying it. I want to hear, I want to know, I want them to tell me everything about their life, which they like so much. I would guess all of this applies to men ranging from forty to sixty, I can’t always tell them apart. It’s a huge age group, but fascinating all the same.

An old man, closing in on his seventies or eighties, can charm me anyday. His wisdom, his experience, his views of times I haven’t even had a chance to know. The sheer volume of his memories, just waiting to be shared, the weight of his trust, should you get it. The possibilities of a mentor, a friend, someone with views so different to your own. If his old life doesn’t fascinate you, his current will. There is so much going on behind that silent, calm face.

Of course I know that not everyone of you might share this passion with me. But I am sure you can recognise parts of it, and apply it to something, or someone, else, closer to yourself. :)