“Growing up is never easy. You hold on to things that were. You wonder what's to come...The thing is, we didn't have to have each other for getting older. We just had to forgive ourselves... for growing up." -The Wonder Years
Definitions of aging differ between biologists and behavioral scientists. For me? Aging is only change, and not always pleasant. Last night I ran into a friend whom I haven't seen in months. He seemed happy enough to see me, but he carried a new maturity I hadn't seen before. From his posture to the way he talked, he seemed older and more reserved. And very much above talking to me.
Perhaps my age is my burden. Although he's only older by a small amount, it's clear that I'm viewed as younger, and no matter what happens, he doesn't put me on the same level as he does himself. Maybe the time has come for me to grow up as well. To shed the remains of my childhood. But maybe not, for you see, when we grow up, we simply reach our own state of maturity. Being mature is simply full development of our judgment. It is, in fact, possible to do this and still hang on to childhood. It breaks my heart to see those who grow up too fast. I've watched young children, barely ten years old, sending texts on their cell phones, "dating", playing spin-the-bottle, swearing, and trying to hide all the fear of growing up they hold inside. What happened to building tree houses? To playing outside or holding lemonade stands? To teddy bears and games of fantastic imagination?
I ask all of you to hold onto your childhood. Hold onto your dignity. There's still so much time left, don't throw it away. Believe in fairy tales. Wish on stars. You'll know when your time comes. And please, never forget about your friends. Age creates no burden to love and friendship. Hold on to all this, and you will never be alone.
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