Day 10 (August 31, 2009)

My nephew moved today. For the first time, he now lives someplace other than with his parents. New apartment. New city. New school. New independence. Congratulations to him!

Though I would guess he's a little nervous, I would also guess that he's thinking that it's good to be a grown-up. In a culture obsessed with youthfulness, that feeling is sometimes hard to come by.

So, as someone who's about to turn the Big Four O, let me be honestly counter-cultural and say, "I like being a grown-up." I'm glad I'm almost 40 and, in a couple of months, will be glad that I am 40+.

I have no interest in reliving my childhood. I had a good childhood. My shrink has probed around it for years and hasn't found much material to work with. Still, I have no interest in reliving it.

The college years are filled with great (and some really messy) memories. It was a time of tremendous growth and unparalleled energy. I don't want to go back.

When I look back at my young adulthood years, my most pleasant memories are pretty much all tied to things that are outward displays of adulthood: graduating, getting married, buying my first new car, moving across the country, getting a "real" job, buying a house, having kids. Let me say it again, "I like being a grown-up."

That's not to say that everything is easy, happy, and fun. Instead, there's a satisfaction that comes with making and keeping commitments (even when I question them), planning finances to pay the bills on time (even though there are other things I really really really want), keeping a house in order (despite the contractor leaving it a mess), and helping the younguns grow up (knowing that their therapists will have job security).

So, to my nephew, congratulations on taking this next step in being a grown-up. I hope you'll wisely embrace being more and more grown-up in the next few years. May you find satisfaction in these milestones and their ramifications so that when your 40 is just around the corner you'll be glad you're a grown-up, too.

Thanks for reading,

Jeff