When You're 18

I woke up this morning and I was a legal adult...
Going back to when I was a little kid, I wished turning 18 would "hurry up and get here."
But now, I want to go back..

As the day was approaching everyone would say "I wish I was you." "I can't wait to turn 18." ect.
My response? "I'll trade you."

Some of my friends have unbearable parents who don't trust them to walk across the street.
It really makes me sad that a child wants to turn 18, just so they can get away from their parents.

I am blessed that my parents have "let go" enough to keep me safe, but yet let me make decisions.
The outcome of this is- I have made good decisions, in order to keep my parents trust. If I have made a bad decision (there have been a few of those, for sure), I go straight to my parents and tell them, instead of trying to "cover it up." In order to keep their trust.

I have seen it numerous times in high school (especially now that kids can drive) a child who has a strict parent will lie and tell their parents that they are one place, so they can go somewhere else.
In my opinion, I think its really sad that a child has to lie about where they are going, just to avoid a fight with their parents.

My parents gave me plenty of trust and they knew when it was time to start "letting go" so in return, I haven't made many poor choices.

I am thankful for them.

Being 18 doesn't feel any different. I can vote, and actually go to jail if I make a big mistake (YAY).

Turning 18 is so significant to me is because, I thought I would never make it past 17.
Being 17 was a rough year for me. I would write it down in the books as a pretty bad year, with a couple of good highlights (no ostomy, and Brandon).
Being really sick, made me appreciate the days that I have now. Even the horrible ones.
I continually get so caught up in everything going on around me and I never take the time to stop and say "Wow, I am alive. That's awesome. I've had worse days. I'm thankful today isn't one of them."
Challenge- When things are tough, and you seem so caught up in everything.. Stop and count your blessings.

I am looking forward to a new year full of new experiences such as senior prom, graduating high school, starting college, and so much more.
I wont lie and say that I don't want to go back to when I was about 2 or 3 and start all over.
I would love that.
I wouldn't change anything though, because good or bad, my decisions have made me the person I am now.

To quote myself:
    "When they said 18 would feel different, they lied."

Dear 18,
      Please be kind to me.
                                        -MaKenzie

"Just another day in the life."