It is true I lived vicariously through our son. And for the record he and his wife are doing well: plotting their careers, spending time with friends, spending time with their out of state parents and in-laws, spending time with each other, and on themselves. . . and I still live vicariously through them as they get snow board lessons at Steven’s Pass (Doesn’t mean at 56 I may not yet try it.)
I also live my life vicariously through my husband and most everyone I know, but –
it is also true that I live my own life as well — sometimes “all of us” at once (or so it feels).
Sharing an experience, whether physically, emotionally, or merely by observation or hearing, requires the use of my intellect, emotions, and reasoning, not counting the physical of the senses. I feel, I observe, I hear, I smell, I may even taste or touch — and I draw conclusions about all of it and then I may share it. All of that is living.
And just as some people learn easier or more quickly kinetically or visually versus by hearing, some of us prefer to exercise the observer in us more than the physical participator. . .
So, by all means encourage your friends to try something rather than sit on the side lines, even I like to at times, but, don’t worry about the non-participants quite as much, at least without listening first — they may just be more like me than you. And surprise, they may actually be happy, kind of like a football fan who ‘watches’ football.
