We have two young men (our grandchildren) who turn 16 today. That is a really big deal. They are now old enough to get a driver’s license; one is ready, the other isn’t.

High school is getting closer and closer to coming to an end. Most 16-year-old children love the increased freedom and the excitement of looking toward the future. So 16 is a really big deal.

I was recently celebrating an important occasion with my neighbors. They are really nice people who have just moved to Sequim. Having lived here for almost 30 years we welcomed our new neighbors. Being an old-timer now is a big deal, especially in today’s mobile society.

We also have a daughter who moved back to Sequim. She has a sweet little daughter who turned 1 at Christmas. She has been incredibly slow about getting her baby teeth at least until she turned 1. Then three or four popped out. Now this was an exciting time. Just ask anyone who came to visit them.

But remember age 5. Now that was an exciting time, too. School begins and that is really a big deal. Everybody is excited for this time — parents, teachers, siblings and just about anyone else, including the 5-year-old. This is frequently when a child learns to ride a bike or go roller skating. These events make this age a very exciting time.

Let’s not forget some of the exciting things from adolescence. Do you remember your first date? That was special. What about the first kiss? That’s a big thing, too. Even the transition from middle to high school makes for a very exciting time. Remember the first school dance? Hopefully as part of this special time of adolescence you can remember some very great teachers, too.

Maybe another time that is special and exciting would be as you enter college or get your first job. All the first things that you will soon be experiencing as you approach this new time in your life. Everything is different and Mom and Dad aren’t there anymore to chaperone. How special can it be?

How about the time you get or got married? Surely that is an exciting time? It may not rival having your first child but it is way up there. Then comes all the important anniversaries that you hopefully remembered each year. They all helped make these special and exciting times together. Just keep working on getting to at least 25- or 50-year anniversaries.

The 60- or 80-year-old probably needs extra time and help on making times special. Sometimes more aches and pains make special times fewer. But the times are there just like for the rest of us. Remember the special times with pictures you may have taken. They don’t have to be labeled; you remember where you were. You remember graduation when your child finished college. You remember how proud you were when your own child got a special job she really wanted.

Just think of these things and rekindle the specialness you felt when they happened. Make more special times by seeing where you might volunteer to help others. Somebody around here really needs you.

I remember going to coffee twice a week with my father who was 98. Nothing was exciting but each time was special. Actually older people have these moments. This same man used to talk with his grandchildren about special times when he was growing up. He also dug out our large pond a little at a time and brought the dirt up higher on the hill. Each time I watch the herons come fishing or the ducks just coasting along, I am reminded of him.

By the time you add up the years and history you are getting from the conversations we had and the memories he leaves for all of us, you have formed new but still very special times with someone you love even when he is no longer here.

Even just getting over things that were negative is an exciting time. Whether it is a divorce, a death or anything you weren’t planning on, time will help heal these wounds and time will still be special again. Special doesn’t always mean something positive.

Special times are all around. In no way does that minimize these important times that stand out; we always should take note and think about these times today being special times.

But beyond that, look all around and see the other parts of your life that are special and exciting and relish those, too. How about when you went to your daughter’s 16th birthday? How about to someone’s special soccer game? What about your first car or when you went to a special play?

Remember your first or your favorite dog. Remember baking cookies with your mom? We need to remember these exiting times and think of them frequently. All these make up why we all feel special.

Take a hard look at your life to make sure it is filled with these special times to remember. If for some reason it isn’t, then begin to try to fill it by making a point to remember special times that help make you who you are.

Cynthia Martin is the founder of the First Teacher program and director of Parenting Matters Foundation, which publishes newsletters for parents, caregivers and grandparents. Reach Martin at pmf@olypen.com or at 681-2250.