Experiences

"Never regret," Eleanor Hibbert said. "If it's good, it's wonderful. If it's bad, it's experience."

When you leave home you assume a new life, but not a new identity.  The truth is you don’t leave everything behind.  There are still Soccer tryouts.  There are friends to be made, un-friendly girls to overcome, bunk-mates to find for a week-long camping trip with your new sixth grade class. 

There are first dates with new friends, because everyone is new, even for Mom and Dad.  There is the barber shop down the street where you go because you figure it can’t be that bad and then you stand in front of the mirror like a 14 year-old wondering how long it will be before your hair grows even on both sides.  There is cold rain down your neck as you lug school supplies back home from the High Street and everyone clamors for a car. 

I tell the kids these are experiences.  This is life after all.