Today I was looking at pictures of my cousin's senior prom on facebook. I can't believe she is a senior in high school and graduating this year. I wanted to leave a comment on her album like, "cherish every moment" or "enjoy every second because it goes by so quickly" but I felt it too cliche and typical. I may say it, when the timing is right again, but for then I did not want to ruin her moment with a comment that would already get her thinking about the future.
I never thought I'd think, or let alone say to someone, that they should cherish every moment or enjoy the memories while they last because I'm somewhat use to people still saying it to me. I don't know if I thought I really wouldn't get older (how dumb is that) or that by the time it was time for me to say it, there would be this cosmic revelation about society whereby the people from my generation would never be considered part of the aging factor. Clearly, I was too "young" to grasp reality. Gosh, how quickly time does go by.
As much as I don't want to admit that I'm getting older, I am. Yes everybody, I'm still young--27--but not 17 with a salad bar of choices on the cusp of my fingertips. I am not in high school anymore. I can't do backflips like I used to. I don't have college choices weighing on my shoulders or college degrees to pick from. I can't just pick up and move cross-country to enroll in a new vocational internship or take three weeks off in the summer to explore Europe. The reality is I have a mortgage to pay, student loans to bear, car payments, and many unforseen doctor bills, car maitenance, and appliance repair bills that will probably come my way at some point in the future. For most of you this too will become inevitable at some stage in your life unless you audition for American Idol and get to the top four or something.
I do not have any major regrets, but perhaps I would have gone to a cheaper college, picked a different degree, or waited to buy a house (who knew the market would crash). Some things are unpredictable and you just can't help it. But you can help the degree you pick, the college you go to, the places you live, the jobs you take, the people you associate yourself with, and the dreams you fulfill.
To the young at heart, be young. Live with no fear. Start over if you're halfway there, but it's not really what you wanted to do. Be bold. Get involved. Stay out late once or twice. And know that when someone says "Cherish every moment", they mean it. Because the future will be there tomorrow, and today is your day to make the memory you choose for it.
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