One day, you are crying in your room about not being able to go out. Next, you are tired of going out too much. 

When did we get so old?

I remember being about 8 years old, my only desire was to cook my own food with my friends. We would find tomato paste cans around the house, we would use our little money to buy ingredients and mimic what we had seen the adults do in the kitchen. Who knew that one day, we would have our own kitchens, fill it with utensils, spices and cook for our family. Who knew that we would cook so much that there would be days we just HAD to eat out. 

How about the times where we’d turn the seed of a mango into babies, we would groom it, sow its clothes, do its hair, and take precious care of it. Who knew that one day, we would carry our own seed for 9 months, and give birth to one or two little humans. We would groom them, buy them clothes, fix their hair and they would become our world. 

Remember the time, you couldn’t wait to leave home. We needed our space, we needed our freedom, and calling home was a chore and our parents were doing too much. Who knew that one day, home will be all that our heart desires.

Speaking of our parents being too much, how about the times you couldn’t wait to get away from them? You know the time they stayed too long at the party you’d be invited too, and wouldn’t leave and their presence was killing you. Or the time where you thought “why can’t they just leave me alone?” How they were too overbearing, too sensitive, too old to know how things were really done. Remember when they would force family activities? How about the time you thought your friends were far more important. Maybe even the time when they would insist that everyone come together for their birthday and you were just too busy and when you were “forced” to come you would just act like you had other important things to do. 

How about now?

Now that we are old?

Who knew that one day, we’d long to hear about their complaints. You’d wish they were in your business. Maybe one last time for that awkward family reunion, maybe they will share more of your embarrassing pictures. 

Who knew that one day, you’ll be visiting their graves, twice a year, on their birthday and Christmas. Who knew it was possible to take a day off to tend to a grave?  Maybe it is because we are old.