Introduction:

I am a 90’s baby. I consider myself in a unique position, because I still remember VHS tapes and Barney, and I know that my kids won’t. This might be true for every generation of families, but regardless it still matters. I fear all they will ever know is touch screens and hover boards. And while they are indeed very cool, it just doesn’t seem an accurate representation of history because the world isn’t like that. We didn’t always have WIFI or Google. The world hasn’t always been at your fingertips or that accessible, it only got that way through innovative ideas and hard work. I am the one of the last 90’s babies. This is for all the future 2000’s babies.

I’m writing this so the next generation, also my future children, won’t be spoiled, unimaginative and uncreative. I am going to probably force them to read this- so I’m apologizing for that in advance, by a whole 40 years so you better appreciate it. And this is my life, my generation, and my world. I have spent most of my life watching people. Not in a creepy, stalker way, but in a “see what’s going on” way. I call it observational learning. Anyways, I’m not a quiet, nor timid person but I always payed attention. I’ve witnessed the world change before my very eyes- in more ways than one.

Today:

I miss people. I missing having to pick up the phone and tell my next-door neighbor about my day. Sometimes, god forbid, having to go over and speak to her in person. Today I see a phone screen and another phone screen, and oh look there- ANOTHER PHONE SCREEN! This is not a bash to social media or texting because truth be told they are amazing creations, but I would appreciate if your face looked at mine when we talked to each other. Not the ‘watch my phone out of the corner of my eye’, or talk to me as you talk to someone else.

Stop. Just, stop. Look around at the people in front of you, acknowledge them properly because one day you may never see them again. It’s great that you found out Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez broke up, I commend you, but I’m here telling you about my day and the fact it practically sucked, and I just want you to listen. And again, it’s great your talking to your steamy boyfriend, but I’ve just one of the worst years of my life and would not like to be cut off by your phone dinging every five seconds. Yes, I said dinging, because ringing implies phone calls- which doesn’t happen anymore.

Before:

Cassettes- they were a bitch to rewind. Although, I do remember several instances where I would just pull all the tape out just to see how far it would stretch. And inevitable try and cover my track by winding it back, only to get lost in a world of dead ends. But that’s the fun part, trying to cover up your tracks because you did something stupid like turning the dog pink (which I also did, but it was fake dog). That’s the joy of being a kid! Going outside, being something, and doing anything. I picked soup.

I had what you would call a ‘squad’ when I was younger, only back then, I preferred the term ‘gang’- felt more like rebel. Either way, whenever it was still light out, but past the typical ‘going home’ time, my friends and I would make soup. I LOVED making soup, I often looked forward to the few times we could. I’m not being metaphorical, we made soup.

There were all these plants outside my childhood best friend’s yard all of us would gather up all the various plants, find something large and hollow, and mix everything together. Then we would serve it on Frisbees and pretend to eat soup. My favorite part was gathering the berries, it just made it seem more realistic, like I cooked something.

Oddly enough, I’m positive I had a cell phone back then. Only, it was one of the MEGA cool flip phones, and I never used it. Guess why? I had no one to call, or text, or snapchat, or tweet. My life was right there, everyone I needed was right there, and turned out those who weren’t, I don’t even remember at all.

That’s the beauty of being a kid, having the ability to go out play and see the world with brand new eyes. The opportunity of being young and ignorant, is one of the greatest gifts someone can have in the world. Sad part is, innocence never lasts.

You are in a unique position because you grew up with everything I never had, and I learned after years to do.

The truth is we can never be who we used to be. All we can do is try and do better and be better. And that is how we got to today.

Be humble. Be imaginative. Be creative. Don’t ever let the spark die out. Whatever keeps that brain thinking, leave it on.

Don’t forget what got you here. It was the dedication and pain of so many incredible people.

Never wait.