Eighteen Dreams

Or "Dreams of being Eighteen" (somewhat embellished)

[Reflections *As I approach the age of eighteen*]

Since the age of eight I've wondered what it would be like to be that grand old age known as eighteen. I think it may have been because at the age you are considered by society to be an adult. At the age you are deemed eligible to vote in elections, referendums, etc; receive the responsibility of possibly sitting on a jury and deeming someone guilty or not guilty and you also (unfortunately) also gain the ability to lawfully smoke those dreadful things called cigarettes. I'm sure there are also other things you may (or may not) come about as well, but those are the widely recognized ones.
Now, because of the perceived aura surrounding this number when I was a child, I just loved that number. Even when my father was teaching me the names of each of the Presidents of the United States, I was fascinated by the number eighteen. Because of that fascination, I could immediately tell you that the eighteenth president of the United States was none other than Ulysses Simpson Grant, aka US Grant or "Unconditional Surrender" Grant. I thought he was a great president because he was "US" Grant, or as I thought of him "United States" Grant. He fought for the Union Army and won the war, he was looked upon as a war time hero. Because of this and even though it took much grumbling, time and incentive, I finally got through his tortuously long "Memoirs". I've learned since then that although he personally was honest, his administration was filled with corruption.
Maybe that started my disillusion with eighteen. As I draw nearer and nearer to that age, once looked forward to with much excitement, I realize that it's not as cherished as it once was. It's not some magic number. It entails much, I'll have to grow up, put away my childish wishes and daydreams, take on more responsibility. And while I'm not sure that I want to, because sometimes I just want to dance in the rain or sun and pretend that I'm still a child. I will take on he responsibility turning eighteen seems to entail. However, I hope that I don't ever totally lose my child likeness. I think everyone needs to have a little bit of an inner child. So while I don't think turning eighteen will be all I dreamed it to be I still believe that it'll be a good year. And I'll enjoy it while I have it. That is if the Lord wills that I live that long.
Either way, it'll be a God blessed year. For the Lord has blessed every year of my life.

Psalm 115:15, 18 ~ May you be blessed by the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. It is we who extol the LORD, both now and forevermore. Praise the LORD.

Enjoying the last few days of life as a seventeen year old. ;D
~Aranel~