The cocoon had been somewhat comfortable, but it was confining. Worst of all, I could see outside of it.
I had only consumed the mental and spiritual nectar, that my parents wanted me to eat. I hungered for a broader menu intellectually, and for a more diverse range of acceptable companions, besides the ones who were stuck in cocoons like myself.
Read MoreComing of Age: Welcome to Adulthood
November of 2005 my parents and friends celebrated my birthday with a big party. As we celebrated the beginning of a year in my life I could only imagine what I had coming. I was in my second year community college and I knew in my heart it was time to get out and start my adult life and go off to a university.
So after the holidays I started pushing towards what I wanted my next big move to be. Since I knew that I wanted to study journalism and stay in state I started to look for colleges that met those requirements. I soon found the university I wanted to attend, and while it was four hours away from home I knew that I had found my new home.
Several months later, after applying and getting accepted I was moving into my dorm room. The experience was surreal to see moves that once made up my room now in a dorm room and watching my parents drive off without me. At that moment it hit me that I was alone and had to depend on myself.
Before I knew it November was here again. As I looked back at my past year I was amazed at my growth and how far I’d come. Slowly I was able to find my place in the world as an adult. I could stand on my own two feet and with that I found my strength.
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Coming of Age
To get older, to mature, to gain wisdom, to survive….With the passing of time many of these things and more can take place. I know for me they have. Some specific ages came with goals automatically attached to them. At 15 start working. My first job was a ride operator at Playland. At 16 legally drive. My first car was a Hyundai Excel 89’. At 18 I hit the stores to cop Philly blunts for the crew and at 21 I had legally purchased my $21 bottle of Bacardi Limon. It’s fun to think back on but in that jumble of young antics; by the grace of god I avoided other age associations. Incarcerated youth, High School Drop Out, “Baby Daddy”…..all those pitfalls of the American black man I avoided during my 20’s. And believe me I was hella close to a couple of those situations.
Now with age I see purpose, legacy, meaning in movement. What do I stand for? The truest values of life now run through my head as I navigate the current storm of change that is this nation. As time flies by we put more candles on the birthday cake. Perception changes every year, so what are you wishing for before you blow out your candles?
J. Francis
