Growing Up

I find myself pulling away. College looms ever closer; 67 days until move-in. I've been spending a lot of time with myself lately, just thinking, relaxing, preparing for the future. The more I do this, the more I realize how ready I am to become that independent woman I have always longed to be. I deeply treasure all the memories, friends, and marks I have made in the valley of the sun these past 18 years. They have shaped me into the person I am today, but they also propel me to go forward and grow. It's going to be tough, scary, and expensive, but I know in the end it will be worth it.
I sincerely treasure this town and the people in it. Even through the dark times, I will always look back on my childhood with the highest esteem. I was greatly blessed in more than one area; friends, school, sports, activities, family, church. I have been surrounded by absolutely amazing people.
Even with all of that, however, I do not have much left here for me. I feel as though I have outgrown this town.
I do not have any people holding me back from moving on. A part of me wishes I did; wishes I had that high school love the songs on the radio talk about. I thought I made connections with people, but for the most part, they did not end up being true or beneficial. One side of me can look back with disappointment, but every other part of me is encouraging me on, to keep looking, and expand my views of the world.
We think we know what love is. We think we know someone. Better yet, we think we know ourselves. But something I've learned is that is what we will spend our whole lives doing, getting to better know others and ourselves. Without doubt, we can learn something new everyday, good or bad. My brain is hungry for knowledge that cannot be learned in Gilbert. My spirit is restless to roam free and forge a path for the rest of my life. I do so with a calm smile, considerate heart, and open mind.

Norah Jones' new album, "Little Broken Hearts", captures the essence of my feelings this summer. Just listening to the music, added in with the insightful lyrics, maintains my composure and satisfaction with life and where I am headed. It's time to reach out of warm cocoon and step out into the sun.

"Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly." - proverb