Growing Up

Drove up to Hillside Manor sometime after two a.m.
And talked a little while about the year
I guess the winter makes you laugh a little slower,
Makes you talk a little lower
about the things you could not show her
And it’s been a long December and there’s reason to believe
Maybe this year will be better than the last
I can’t remember all the times I tried to tell my myself
To hold on to these moments as they pass

Today I assisted my friends Nick & Casey in moving into their house. They are both very excited about their new place, and it’s very nice. Justin joined us in moving some of Nick’s junk in his Denali and we all went to lunch at Red Robin (thanks Justin!). It was when we were standing outside of the house preparing to unload 3 cars and 2 trailers that Justin made a remark that made think quite a bit. He proclaimed “it’s weird to think we’re not 16 anymore.” And it really is. I remember back in high school Justin, Nick, and I were just driving around in our spare time, doing nothing. It was such a simpler time and much, much more fun in my opinion. Sure we couldn’t get into bars or whatever… but it was great. I’ve been sitting in my room for the past 30 minutes just reflecting on how much has changed for my friends and for myself since high school. There has been a lot of fun, a lot of heartbreak, a lot of good memories, and a lot of things we wish we could forget. I guess it’s just something I haven’t done very often. It’s almost refreshing to sit back and think about how life changes as you go from a high school kid to an almost-adult, haha! I see my friends getting closer to what could be considered a ‘normal life’ and I have to sit and wonder about my own.

I recently made a decision for my life that will lead me who-knows-where for the next 5 years of my life. I will probably be stationed all around the world for those 5 years, so that most likely puts my first home purchase at 28 years old. I guess that’s not bad, but I wish I would have made this decision 4 years ago when I graduated high school. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t really regret the past 4 years. I have had great memories with all of my friends. I found the love of my life and was able to spend a very joyous, yet too short, time with her. I got closer to my brothers as I matured and got out of my ‘child’ stage, and I finally started to see how great my parents are and how much they do for me. I finally found a job I absolutely love and learned skills I can carry with me forever. There have been many great people who passed through my life on their journeys through life, and I cherish the memories. OK, now I’m just babbling.

I guess what I am really trying to say is I’m going to miss my life, my family, and friends. Five years is a long time… and I know that by the time I get back my friends will probably be states away, my parent’s could be in poor health or worse, and who knows what will happen to my brothers. It’s really hard to come to terms with putting a quarter of your life out on the line in the hopes of being something better. Only time will tell. I just want you all to know I will miss you.

*crickets*