Friday, June 11, 2010

Waving Farewell to the Teens

So tomorrow I am officially saying goodbye to my teen years. I am pretty sure I am ok with it. I didn't get too attached. Although I did feel like I should write a blog dedicated to them since they were with me for a while.

I mean, they did stay with me through the torrents of puberty and the awkward moments where my I wished I would stick my foot in my socially inept mouth. I was definitely an early bloomer, and this brought the lovely mood swings, acne break outs, and impassioned arguements with my parents in one fell swoop. I laugh thinking about how scandalous I felt when I whispered a swear word for the first time in the safety of my room. Or how terrified yet thrilled I was sitting behind the wheel of a car for the first time. My first job, first theater production, first solo in choir, first time wearing makeup out of the house. Each new expirience brought a rush of excitement mixed with a bit of nerves.

I learned a lot of hard lessons as well, like what if feels like when someone doesn't like you because of your race, and that appearances aren't always how things really are. Of course no one can make it through thier teen years with out a heartbreak or two, but now I can look back and smile at how my dramatic 15 year old mind wondered if I would ever "move on".

TPing houses and ducking when a police car came by, climbing on roofs all over the city, sneaking an entire pizza and a 2 liter of peach soda into the movie theater, quietly exploring the underground school tunnels... the list goes on of things that my friends and I did to pass the days and bring little thrills (yes, my mother does know about all of this).

I met friends that would change my life and how I view things. They were (and are) with me through the good and not so good moments in my life. And my family put up with my carefully thought out arguements and the times when my temper exploded like a hormonal time bomb.

Now I am in Italy and saying "arrivederci" to the teens and "buongiourno" to the 20's. Whoa. It will take a while to get used to this. Hopefully I adjust before I hit the 30's. I don't even want to think about that. Before I came I thought about the romantic idea of turning 20 in Italy. It certainly sounds wonderful: "Yes, I turned 20 in the beautiful country of Italia..." At least it sounds romantic because I would like to have people I know with me as I turn this corner. However, I chose this expirience and I am enjoying it to the fullest.

I thank God for how good He's been to me through the teen years with a full knowledge that He is already going ahead of me in the next chapter of my life.

Peace in Christ

2 comments:

  1. Happy Birthday! We (Sherry and I) are glad we were around for some of your teen years. Thankful, too.
    Tim and Sherry

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  2. Happy Birthday Alysha. This milestone makes me feel very old. I remember when I held you in my arms for the first time. You were and are a beautiful human being...inside and out. I see good things in your future. Just remember your grandma once in a while. I love you very much.
    Grandma Mack

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