I remember being a young child and wondering what it would be like to be this thing called a “Grown Up”. It all seemed so far away back then. Over time, I began to actually desire to be a Grown Up, spending much time acting as old and adult as I could, even though I was a teenager. The feelings of being a Grown Up seem to develop over time, yet the actual state of being Grown Up still seems so far away.

A major time in my life was the birth of my daughter. I imagine it’s a similar thing for most first time parents when they suddenly realise they have this new extension of themselves and their family. Something small and wonderful to be responsible for! Perhaps we consider the fact that we may have never really taken full responsibility for ourselves, how on earth do we take full responsibility for someone else? It’s really a time to Grow Up fast.

But then a little time passes and we begin to foster independence in our child and it’s time to Grow Up again. As the child themselves Grow Up, we seek to teach them their own self-responsibility and at some point in their future, they may even have their own bundle of joy. Time once more to Grow Up. Until what? We become this thing we call a Grown Up? Well, maybe.

What if we never become a Grown Up? Is it possible that this thing we call a Grown Up doesn’t actually exist? Indeed, if it were possible to become Grown Up, we would surely have no need of Growing. It is possible that there are many Grown Ups in the world, however these people are just people who have stopped Growing. They’ve arrived at their destination and are just kicking a ball about waiting for something else to happen.

Perhaps our goal should not be to become a Grown Up, perhaps our goal should be to Grow.

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