The Privilege of Growing Up
I'm sitting in a cafe tweaking my resume and searching potential job opportunities wondering where my childhood went. How am I graduating college in a month? Now I have anxiety over the unknown and what ifs that are ahead. Meanwhile, high school students are chatting about how they are tired of high school and cannot wait to move on to being an adult, where they will have so much more freedom and autonomy.
Isn't it strange? When we were kids we dreamed about being adults, and when we're adults we dream about being kids again.
Today also happens to be my friend, Ellen's, birthday. She would have been 22 years old today if cancer had not taken her life when we were 14. I've been thinking about what her parents must be feeling every year on this day. She would have been getting ready for high school… she would be going on her first date… she would have prom around the corner… she would be adjusting to college… she would be about to graduate and start her career. So many life stages, hopes, and dreams for their daughter were shattered when she lost that battle to leukemia almost eight years ago. Today, on her birthday, I'm sure the what ifs come flooding for what would have been in her 22nd year.
So, as I'm sitting here stressing about how I'm actually graduating college, finding a job, and paying bills, wishing I could be a kid again with no responsibilities, it strikes me how I am incredibly blessed to be where I am today. What a blessing it is to be able to grow up, celebrate another year of life, and move into new experiences and opportunities. Not everyone is fortunate to have the chance to grow old.
It's easy to be nostalgic and dwell on what used to be, but there is so much that lies ahead. Let's embrace this day that we have been given and think about how we can live it faithfully and wholeheartedly. The future can be scary and full of unknowns, but in that there are also so many possibilities. Many are struggling with the reality of only having months, weeks, or even days to look ahead to. If you have a seemingly vast future to look ahead to I hope you also understand the privilege that it is wrapped in.
Isn't it strange? When we were kids we dreamed about being adults, and when we're adults we dream about being kids again.
Today also happens to be my friend, Ellen's, birthday. She would have been 22 years old today if cancer had not taken her life when we were 14. I've been thinking about what her parents must be feeling every year on this day. She would have been getting ready for high school… she would be going on her first date… she would have prom around the corner… she would be adjusting to college… she would be about to graduate and start her career. So many life stages, hopes, and dreams for their daughter were shattered when she lost that battle to leukemia almost eight years ago. Today, on her birthday, I'm sure the what ifs come flooding for what would have been in her 22nd year.
So, as I'm sitting here stressing about how I'm actually graduating college, finding a job, and paying bills, wishing I could be a kid again with no responsibilities, it strikes me how I am incredibly blessed to be where I am today. What a blessing it is to be able to grow up, celebrate another year of life, and move into new experiences and opportunities. Not everyone is fortunate to have the chance to grow old.
It's easy to be nostalgic and dwell on what used to be, but there is so much that lies ahead. Let's embrace this day that we have been given and think about how we can live it faithfully and wholeheartedly. The future can be scary and full of unknowns, but in that there are also so many possibilities. Many are struggling with the reality of only having months, weeks, or even days to look ahead to. If you have a seemingly vast future to look ahead to I hope you also understand the privilege that it is wrapped in.
"I have this breath to breathe. How am I going to live it faithfully?"
- Kara Tippetts, July 14, 1976 - March 22, 2015
Comments
Post a Comment