If I've learned anything recently, it's that the young adult period of life is both meaningless and extremely important at the same time. Oh yeah, clear cut right. Being around several different generations the past semester, I've been trying to get a better grip on what is happening right now versus all that is to come. Yup, here it is again, me trying to speed through monotony to get to the good stuff. Hate to break it to myself once again, but time is on my side right now, even though more good surely is still to come.

So why it doesn't matter? These years are so few in comparison to all we've got. I've seen how now is fun and carefree and also very stressful. Probably some of the most stressful stuff we've really ever got. So far. And when I take those stressors and tack on what I regret already, to dwell on that and to let little petty stuff manifest into depressive moods and times is useless. We get so caught up in creating these experiences for ourselves and making sure these are the years we will never forget. And we won't. But it's the stuff on the side, the crust we cut off but don't throw away that takes away from all this glorious fun and joy we're supposed to have.

When we're old, we aren't going to remember day to day things. We'll remember big stuff that we loved and hated and specific people that did something ridiculous at that function or wedding or get together. We aren't going to remember things that had minimal meaning, so sitting on them now is not worth the time. That petty stuff is so pointless, even though it's so easy to get caught up in being around this young generation that is just starting to grow up.

I've learned that I will forever look back on my life, taking from experiences with LOTS to share. There is always some embarrassing memory attached to the wild times, a particular person you think of when you look back on long periods of time, and the feelings that resonate with you during special times. In 20 years, I won't know exactly why certain things were fun, but I'll remember who held my hair, made an entrance, said something off the wall, and laughed with me after. That's the good kind of big stuff.

When parents or aunts, uncles, and grandparents would tell you stories, there's always the name we associate with some kind of action. That's how good stories go; the author gives you all this background and a crazy plot but who do we feel for, empathize with, fall in love with? The characters. It is in these times that we fill our lives with the people that make our lives so great now, and our stories so much better in the future.

I've learned that I won't remember sitting in my room instead of going out. I won't remember all the naps I took, I'll remember when I decided to live a little and make life happen instead of waiting for it. That's why it's important to see that in the midst of all the dramatic ridiculousness that is so unimportant, the opportunity we have to step up, grow up, and get up is everything we will ever have going for us.

And if two of my favorite ladies have taught me anything recently, it's that no matter where we go, no matter who we meet or what we do, there is a home in the family we have by blood. What's anything worth if you don't have people, your people, to share it with? To see that joy when a family grows, the pride when someone achieves success, laughter when we can reminisce, and cohesiveness when we're all in the same room, I really don't think it gets any more pure than that.

Growing takes time. Achievements and success take time. And finding the right kind of love to add to the circle takes its sweet old time. But all in all, with mistakes, disagreements, struggles, and tumbles, the people we take with us on the journey up and over the hill makes anticipating what's ahead and looking back down all the better.