Grown-ups

A need for security makes children believe adults know everything. I couldn't wait to grow up and be one of those people.

Years passed. I grew older, but I didn't feel as if I were really an adult and that frightened me. What would happen when my Dad died? Who would I turn to for advice, or help? Who would be the grown-up in my life then?

I thought something must be wrong with me. I didn't feel grown-up. I was afraid to trust myself. I wanted someone who really knew.

Now, when I find someone who thinks he, or she, knows everything, that is a red flag.

There are lots of ways to grow up, but becoming static is not one of them.

I am most comfortable around people who appear to have a process for assessing the facts, for trying to see the whole picture, for making decisions based on as broad a base as possible.

That's the kind of grown-up who finds commonalities and peace in places others only find discord.

In my older eyes, these are the real grown-ups no matter how old they are.