Growing Up.

Something I have been thinking about lately is how weird it is to grow up.

Not just how it's weird to grow up, but how it's weird to think that we are maturing. I'm not even really sure what it is to be 'mature'.

As it is with mostly everything in life, things have different meaning retrospectively. When I think of my high-school-self now, I know that I really was not as mature as I thought I was at the time (although I am proud of my high school accomplishments)!









I don't feel very mature, even though I attribute myself to being organized, responsible, achieving, driven.. and other positive qualities.

My parents are the ones who have recently verified that I am mature and have given me the stamp of 'maturity'.

I feel very grown up because my parents keep asking me for advice, which really freaks me out.

I am the firstborn of the family, so I'm used to my parents looking to me to motivate my brothers, run errands for them and trust me to succeed without pep talks. But when it comes to asking for advice, that's a whole 'nother story!

My dad called me not too long ago to ask what I thought about him running for McKinney City Council At Large. I told him that as long as he wants to do it for the right reasons, plans to take on the task whole-heartedly and thinks that this is the way he can make a positive, significant difference, then yes. (I knew the answer to all of those things would be yes.. and it was.)



Not only did he ask for my advice in that big life-decision, but he has continued to ask for my expertise as a junior journalism major. I am flattered by this.

I'm kind of liking how life comes full-circle. It's funny to be enlightened and have a new perspective on anything - especially a relationship that is well-established... my relationship with my parents.

My appreciation for my parents continues to grow and prosper each day. I feel as though I am seeing a whole new side of them as parents, citizens, volunteers and business-people. Honestly, before college, I was naive enough to only see them as my parents.





Growing up is weird, but I am learning to appreciate the learning curve that comes along with it. I am lucky for each day that I grow older.

I'm amazed at what I have learned already about growing up. One of the most comforting things is that I am more and more secure in myself and who I am.

My mom once said to me the most memorable piece of advice I have ever gotten, "Every day you're defining who you are and where you're going." I will never forget that and will remember to live by that to ensure that as I grow older, I grow wiser, going in the direction that I am intended to go.

Keep your chin up!

Allison