As this summer is quickly coming to a close I’m starting to realize all of the things that I have experienced. The greatest of which is that in a small way I finally got to learn what it is to be poor and alone. If its possible I don’t mean “poor and alone” in a bad way. It was just something I had never felt before. I wasn’t exactly devastatingly poor, but at times it really felt like it. There were so many times this summer where the only person that I could think of to rely on was myself. On one hand it was freeing and made me feel like, if I want, there is no place I can’t be, but on the other hand I learned how important relationships with others are and the lack of relation is crippling at times. I can’t exactly put what I feel this summer into words quite yet. I know I’ve grown up so much this summer and no longer see any situation in pure black and white. I’ve met so many new people, have learned about their struggles, the choices and predestined circumstances that thrust them upon their current lives, and how easy it is to feel oppressed by some invisible hand at times. The funny thing is though, these people have no regrets, and no intent of changing the way in which they approach their lives. They don’t know anything more than to live life fast. I got a taste of their lifestyle and have found through their influence that life is a bit more approachable than it seems. I’m also starting to fear I won’t go all the places I want to and be all the different people I want to. It might sound cheesy, but we do only get one shot at this. I want to feel the rain, not just get rained on. I’m going to try my best to not let those who are close to me influence my opinion, my friend Chase in particular. I’m going to be my own person if it takes my whole life to accomplish it.
