Life is a single word used to describe the infinite amount of various time lines we all live. While two people may have lived for the same amount of time, they could each experience life in drastically different manners. For a few, life describes the few precious heartbeat’s a child has before it is taken from this world. For others, life describes the accumulation of a hundred and thirty years of loved ones coming and going, memories clear as day and as blurry as thick fog. Life is a unique experience we all have and share in.
For me, I am 29 years old and I am just starting to put miles on this body. While I have enjoyed my years, it would be hard to say I have enjoyed these last 15 years more than my first 15 years. Yet I remember more from these last 15 years than my first 15. I was an adult for most of it and therefore had a freedom to pursue whatever I pleased. I could let the burn of vodka touch my throat to wash away the bad days or I could let the bubbly and dry taste of champagne wet my lips in celebration of a friends wedding. As a child, I didn’t have any of these privileges.
Yet as a child I could do many things I am unable to do as an adult. For instance a child doesn’t pay for food. Doesn’t matter if its chicken strips or a rack of delicious ribs, children don’t pay a dime for food. I guess that’s not completely true. Sometimes we do have to pay for a candy bar or an apple. Even then though, we pay for it from our parents wallets. This describes my childhood, not childhood in general.
There are kids out there starving, with no parents and no pockets. No food. No shelter. No siblings to bicker with and complain about. Maybe not even family or friends. These are the things an adult comes to see about the world but from an adult point of view. They see the lack of things in a child’s life as they see the lack of success or money or cars in their driveway. It is not healthy nor is it a good practice to learn. If one measures their life by the wants of their life, then they will always be needing.
What we should want is more miles, more time, and for Gods sake a larger cup of coffee.
Mile 29 