I live three blocks away from my elementary school that I used to go to. I pretty much pass it on a daily basis to get to work or wherever I have to go. I am now a 22 year old recent college graduate about to turn 23 in April. I literally (and I mean literally) think everyday when I pass my elementary school "Where the hell did the time go?" To be honest (and I may sound like a total baby) I shed a few tears sometimes when I pass my elementary school. Why? Because I miss my childhood so much. If I had the chance to relive a few of my childhood moments I would in a heartbeat because this "adulting" stuff is definitely not what I thought it would be. They did not lie when they said "Growing up gets tough." I miss many things about being the child that I was because truthfully, it was awesome being a kid.

I miss eating whatever the hell I wanted without a care in the world. Chicken nuggets or pizza or ice cream or even all of it in one day because as a kid, you did not have to worry about your weight. All you needed to worry about was how good it tasted. Once you hit a certain age though, you can not eat all of that junk like you used to. You have to actually watch what you eat and even add some exercise so you do not get too heavy. Unfortunately I had a weight issues growing up but fortunately I learned how to lose and control my weight. I would do anything though just to be a normal sized kid eating an icepop on my front porch without thinking about the calories.

I miss my childhood friends. I actually had my own group of friends and it was the best thing ever. I would go their houses every week and we would ride bikes together. We ate brownies and other desserts that our moms baked for us and we had sleepovers that we thought were the coolest. Every year we were in the same class together and we thought we were genius when we could figure out who had a crush on who. I thought I was awesome for having my own group of friends and I was happy to count on them. Then middle school came which made my group of friends explore new friends. We just lost touch. People change and make new friends. It happens. I find it amazing if you have a childhood friend from elementary school because that is some hard stuff to keep these days and to me that is some serious friendship goals. When middle school came I could not find a new group of friends to fit in with. Everyone was gathering to form cliques left and right and for some reason I just could not find a group of friends to string on to. I was the person who had an acquaintance to hang out with once in a while or just strung along to my sister's friends. I took what I could get. I wonder sometimes how my childhood friends are doing. Some of them I see once in a while and we catch up, but it is just not the same.

I miss being creative without thinking my ideas were dumb or impossible. I miss the imagination I used to have as a kid. I could play school with my siblings and think I was the best teacher in the world. I miss doing someone's hair and thinking it was the most amazing hair style in the world. I miss thinking that everything I drew was the coolest picture ever. I always thought about what I wanted to be when I grew up and I thought it was so simple. I always thought I could be an art teacher or an actress. Now I realize I can be those things but it takes time and effort and you actually have to be good at what you want to do. If I wanted to become an actress today, it would definitely be hard work. It sure ain't easy getting a star on the Walk of Fame. Now if I actually want to submit any art anywhere, I need to make sure it is actually good for someone to recognize it and have potential. As a child, you did not need to worry about if your artwork was good. Everyone just complimented it and it made me feel special. Nowadays I feel like some of my hard work is a waste. I am grateful to have a great entry level job in something I am interested in, but I sure ain't the famous actress I thought I would be. I appreciate those who thought my hands I painted in kindergarten were awesome though.

I miss not worrying about money. Money is probably one of the biggest stressors in life, at least for me it is. My parents gave me money when I was little and I did not think anything of it. I just took it and spent it on the candy I wanted. As a child, I did not think you have to work so many hours to get it. Who was I kidding. Now I am in the world of paying my own bills and taxes. SCARY. Now, I need to pay for stuff myself. Honestly, it sucks but welcome to growing up.I buy my own ice cream now at least.

Honestly, I can go on and on about the things I miss as a child. The birthday parties. The playing dress up with friends. Having time to run around and play all day with no care in the world. Actually getting along with my siblings. Playing with Betty Spaghetty and Barbie. Having lemonade stands. Having "field day" at school. The one thing I miss the most is actually being happier than I am today. I know I can not jump into a time machine and be five again, but that would be nice. I know that all I can do today is cherish the great times I had as a child and be fond of them. It is now time to put on my "big girl pants" and grow up to not only learn how to survive in this world but to be the happy girl that I was when I was little. To my childhood, I do miss you so much and if I could go back, I would. But thank you for all of the great memories and fun times. I will always look back at the little girl I was and say "That was one happy and care free child." Hopefully, that little girl as she keeps growing becomes happy and successful just like she felt as a child.