Summer of 18

It's just about that time again. Summer is right around the corner. Everyone seems to be back home in their respective towns. People are walking with livelier steps. The city has a new pulse. It's a beautiful thing to see. I always wonder what each summer will bring. Will it be better than the last, or worse? Maybe neither. One things for certain though, it will be different than the last. That's the thing about summer, it's always different than the last in one way or another. 

I was sitting down with a friend the other day and just thinking about the coming months. We were recollecting past summers and all the memories that were made. While many of my closest friends live back in my old town, I try to go back as little as possible now that I'm older. Going back home and seeing everyone and reinventing nights that once were seems to have a bad effect on me. What I mean is, it keeps me in a permanent mindset of never wanting to grow up. You know that feeling when you see your friends for the first time in a long time, and you're in a place that you haven't been in a long time and all these memories come pouring back into your mind. For me, it's almost overwhelming. It makes me realize that growing up is a fact. It's something you can't escape no matter how hard you try. Memories are just that, memories. 

My best friend here in the city told me recently, we'll never be able to truly go back to those days of July, where nobody had jobs, where nobody had a single worry in the world other than making it home by 11:30. No, those days are long gone and only a distant memory now. It's both a tremendous thought and a terrifying one. 

Growing up and doing things on your own is rewarding thing. Whether it be cashing a check on your own or riding the train for the first time, you feel a sense of aliveness and self worth. This is what I love about growing up. Thankfully i'm perpetually optimistic and look at most things in a positive manner. Growing up is terrifying but once you tell yourself there's no escaping it, and that there's a beautiful future out there waiting to be found, you can find hope. 

Something I have to remind myself in this chapter of my life is that people come and go. It's not necessarily voluntary, but there's thing thing called life going on, remember? People meet new people, and people change. For better or for worse. One of the most beautiful things about growing up is seeing people stick around. Those people that were around in July of 2015, the people who said good luck at school and see you soon. The people who you get a text or phone call from asking how you're doing and what's been going on. That's one of my favorite things in this chapter of life.

In this generation of "I can't text them first that's weird." Or, " Well they didn't text or call me so I won't either," allow me to pass on some advice. We're all on the same boat here. Lost or found, in this vast ocean of growing up. Sometimes, leave your pride in high school, and reach out to your friends and family. Ask them how they're doing. Check up on them. Talk extensively or briefly about what's good and bad in their lives currently. Trust me when I say that it will mean the entire world to them. 

Now, go forth and do something great this summer. Do things that scare the hell out of you. Try and neglect what people may think of you. You'll find yourself much happier. Here's to the summer of 2018.