One of the things I love about How I Met Your Mother is how it touches on issues that I can relate to. As the characters grow older, their issues change, and because I’m close to their age, it’s like I’m growing up with them. Season 8 Lily is a lot different from season 1 Lily, the same way the present me is a lot different from the me who first started this blog back in 2005. However, Ted still hasn’t found the mother until now so I guess some things haven’t changed – same with me, too, am I right?
Anyway, in the latest episode (S08E17), “The Ashtray,” there was a moment that touched me. Marshall was trying to convince Lily to return the very expensive ashtray she stole from The Captain as her punishment to him when he condescended to her by telling her that her taste in paintings did not matter because she was just a kindergarten teacher.
Marshall: Oh my God Lily! What is the big deal? So what? So he said you’re just a kindergarten teacher, why do you let that bother you?
Lily: Because he was right, I am just a kindergarten teacher! And yes, I have a degree in art history and I was meant to do something with it but I didn’t. Somewhere along the line I forgot to pursue my dream. And now I’m old and I’m a mom and it’s just too late for me.
Marshall: No no no it’s not too late, it’s not too late. You’re gonna quit your job tomorrow and you’re gonna go back and pick up right where you left off with that art stuff. Look, I promise you, your best and your most exciting days are all ahead of you.
Lily: I love you so much for saying that but there gets to be a point in life where that just stops being true.
She is right. There does come a point in life when it becomes too late to start over.
But just when is it too late?
Tick tock.
I dont egt to watch this show but this scene probably would have made me cry. What she said is true. It makes me wonder how many regrets I'd have when that time comes.
It made me cry. Haha. Iyakin forever.