Almost an Adult

Today is Scarlet’s* seventeenth birthday. My word they grow up fast. It seems like only a few days ago she was in the park doing cartwheels for me. But no…it’s been almost eight years since those days of carefree tumbling.

I get a kick out of seeing her and her sisters and noting the changes that have happened over the years. As I’ve mentioned, this is as close to being a parent as I’m ever going to get, and I do sort of understand more deeply some of what I’ve heard parents say over the years. I love their drive and their passion and their striving for the life that they dream to have. Knowing these young ladies as I do, I don’t doubt that they will fulfill at least some of those dreams just as long as they keep striving for them. Now that I see their youth from eyes that are more than twice as old, I can truly appreciate how so much of the joy in the world is the result of the young. Most haven’t yet had the time or experiences to get the veneer of cynicism that even the optimists among us tend to acquire as the years pass by.

We’re having a party for my dear young friend on Friday. It will be nice to visit.