Friday, January 31, 2003
Friday, January 31, 2003 |
| Zen
and the art of being a grown-up; there's more to it than one thinks
By Rick Ryckeley For all my young readers out there trying to speed up time so they too can have the freedom of being an adult, be warned. With freedom comes responsibility; being a grown-up means more than what you'd think. Being a grown-up means you can have a bowl of ice cream in the middle of the afternoon, and no one's gonna say, "Don't eat that, you're going to spoil your dinner." Heck! You're a grown-up; you're the boss now. Eat the whole carton! It also means you can spend hours in the gym lifting weights and running on the treadmill trying to rid yourself of excess poundage you've gain from eating too much ice cream. Being grown-up means you can stay up all night watching bad movies, or talk on the phone 'til you fall asleep. It also means you can get into big trouble when you fall asleep at work. Being a grown-up means you hold your wife's hand to comfort her as she gives birth to your children. It also means she holds your hand to comfort you when they lay your parents to rest. Being a grown-up means constantly questioning your judgment about the best way to raise your children so none of your faults and short comings will surface in them as they become adults. It also means seeing some of those faults and short comings surface in them anyway. Being a grown-up means you're always there for your children and those late night talks with your daughter about nothing and everything. It also means you get to worry about your daughter when she's out past curfew. Being a grown-up means you can relive your childhood and see your life shine through your children's eyes. It also means that your life can flash before your eyes when you receive a phone call that your child is hurt, and is on the way to the hospital. Being a grown-up is rejoicing with your children when they accomplish or exceed their goals. It also means comforting them if they fall short of it. Being a grown-up means you get to worry about your son as he drives off by himself the first day he gets his driver's license. It also means you get to worry a lot less as he drives off after graduating from college. Being a grown-up means you get to hold your breath as your son or daughter goes off to war. It also means you get to rejoice when they return safely. Being a grown-up means you're there at the hospital for your daughter or son to hold their hand as you see your first grandchild. It also means your children come see you to hold your hand when you're in the hospital. Being a grown-up means you take a day off of work to sit with your wife when she goes to the doctor's office for her test results. It also means when you're sick, she takes time off to nurse you back to health. Being a grown-up means sometimes not being able to remember things. Like where you put the car keys or starting the car and sitting in the driveway for ten minutes, only to get out of the car, go back inside giving up on trying to remember why you got into the car in the first place. It also means being able to remember all the harsh things your teenager says to you and wondering if you said such harsh things to your parents. Being a grown-up is about remembering things: all the lessons about life that you've learned. Lessons that now can pass onto you children if only they'd listen to you. It also means hearing from your children that you don't know anything about life, but you would if only you'd listen to them. Being a grown-up and a parent is not a part time job and not something to do just because you're tired of being a teenager. Its twenty-four hours a day seven days a week. It's the only job you can't get laid off or fired from, and there's always tons of overtime. There are no applications to fill out, no prerequisites. It's the most important and rewarding job you will ever have; one that will last the rest of your life, and the only pay you'll receive is in smiles and hugs. Next time you see your mom or dad give them a hug. When they ask you why, just smile and tell them you're just trying to pay them a little extra. [Rick Ryckeley is employed by the Fayette County Department of Fire and Emergency Services. He can be reached at firemanr@bellsouth.net.]
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