To Know Then What I Know Now? Hell No!

Written By Melinda Moulton

      Lately I have been wondering what my life today would be like if I knew back then what I know now.

      One would suspect that if I had the wisdom and knowledge of a 75-year-old when I was young I would have hit the jackpot. Right?

      Well, not so fast.

      Imagine my life without dangerous fats. No ice cream with fudge sauce or whipped cream on my apple pie. Forget the butter on those pancakes, and don’t even think about cream cheese on a bagel.

      Imagine if I knew back in my youth that smoking would kill me. Both Rick and I would have missed lighting up after a hard romp in the sack. Knowing loud music would kill my hearing would have ensured that I packed my ears with gooey glop that would have drowned out the heavy bass from James Brown’s “Papa’s Got a Brand-New Bag.”

      What about the dangers of high-heeled shoes, that contributor to metatarsalgia, bunions, hammertoes, stress fractures and ankle injuries? I cannot imagine strutting down Park Avenue without my I. Miller high heels, wincing in pain with each step.

      Today everyone is told that a lack of sleep can contribute to dementia and depression. Glad I didn’t know that back in my early days when I stayed up all night and partied till dawn, passing out in the Boston Garden at a Rod Stewart concert.

      Imagine what my life would have been if I had known the dangers of toxic fumes to my lungs. I probably would have been a paranoid breath-holding mask-wearing mess.

      Glad I never knew about water-born bacteria, viruses or parasites because my friends and I swam in any body of water anywhere if it was hot enough. Which now explains my many bouts of diarrhea.

      My parents didn’t even know what was dangerous because they were too busy drinking their whiskey sours and attending bridge parties while we were running off in the morning, never to return until the clock at the local college struck 5 p.m. They had no clue where we were or what we were doing. They never worried about us drowning when they dropped us off at a lake. They never warned us that we could be brainwashed at church. We were on our own.

      We didn’t wear seat belts, drove long before we had a license, ate unhealthy food, ran around barefoot, talked to strangers, hitchhiked, walked on thin ice, jaywalked, had unprotected sex, took candy from anyone and brazenly challenged every conceivable danger to take us down. But damn, it was a fun time growing up when parents didn’t see peril lurking around every corner.

      So, no, I am glad that I did not know back then what I know now because even though I am paying for all of it today, I would not trade any of it for anything in the world.

Melinda Moulton

In May of 2022, Melinda Moulton joined her husband Rick Moulton as Executive Producer of the documentary film company they both founded in 1972. Rick Moulton Productions. She was involved in environmental and socially conscious redevelopment since 1983. Melinda provided the leadership to produce a 40-year incremental redevelopment project for the Burlington Vermont Waterfront, and spearheaded 250,000 square feet and thirty million dollars of built environment on Burlington’s Waterfront. Melinda Chaired the Boards of the Burlington Parking & Transportation Council, Burlington Business Association, Vermont Retail Association, and The Intervale Center. She served on the Boards of the YMCA, Lund Family Center, Chittenden East School District, Opportunities Credit Union, Vermont Public Interest Research Group, The Orton Family Foundation, Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility, Planned Parenthood of Northern New England, Main Street Alliance, Vermont Health Care for All, College Steps, The Folklife Center, Audubon Vermont, and the Vermont Arts Council. She was a member of the Vermont Business Roundtable. .
 She presently serves on the Boards of Planned Parenthood of Northern New England's Action Fund, ACLU-Vermont, and the Williston Restorative Justice Center's Executive Council. Governor Peter Shumlin appointed Melinda to the Vermont Pathways From Poverty and The Vermont Commission on Women. Melinda served on the Advisory Councils of the Vermont Green Building Network, University of Vermont’s 2020 “Leading By Design” Sustainability Task Force, the Childhood Hunger Council of Chittenden County, and Patient Choices Vermont. She participated on the development and ultimate steering committee for the Burlington Legacy Project. She serves as a Trustee of the Community Sailing Center.
Melinda was honored by the Burlington Business Association with the Nathan Harris Award in recognition of her contribution to the economic vitality of downtown Burlington. She was also honored with the Vermont Business for Social Responsibilities Terry Ehrich Award. Melinda hosts her TV Interview Show "Moments with Melinda" on Channel 17, CCTV which is syndicated across the State of Vermont. Episodes can be seen on her web site www.melindamoulton.com.

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