Back to the Future Delorean from Wallpaper Vortex.
Ever since I was five, and the first installment of Back to the Future came out, I was hooked on the topic for life. I remember dreaming of what my parents were like when they were my age. A few years later, and after listening to the same response from various sources when I asked to do something my age wouldn’t allow, that: “You’ll be able to do that when you’re older” got to me to the point where I wanted to become an adult pronto! Fast forward two decades and I was happy to be one.
Everything in life has its moment
Although it may seem harmless at first, wishing I were an adult, got me thinking diferently than the rest of my friends. Even now, I feel much older than most. Sometimes, even older than my parents – – but that’s another post entirely. What my Dad used to tell me, should’ve become my motto. Words to live by: “Everything in life has its moment”. Bah! I used to say, but now I look back and wish I could re-live some of those child memories. Moments were no cares where in sight. Innocence was running rampant. Politicians were good, honest and trustworthy men and women. Crime was something cops prevented and never caused, and if trouble came, Superman was always near by to solve it. So while I looked towards the future when I was young, I now look back to the past that brought me up.
Not making the same mistakes
I’ve told my children a few times, that they’ll understand when they’re older and that when they’re bigger, they will be able to do this or that. I need to stop that. After all, there’s no better time that the present. We can’t know what the future will bring and the past, well … already passed. I’m going to make an extra effort to remember that kids will be kids and when they’re adults, no more babies will roam around doing silly things and making us laugh. Everything will be more serious and complex, so why rush it? I will destroy my time machine today.
It’s all Flash’s fault
Why am I thinking of this now, you may ask. Well this past weekend I hung up a poster on my son’s bedroom (that a friend gave to me about seven years ago, and I never framed) of Flash. And while putting it up, I looked at my reflection on the glass with my son’s bedroom decorations reflected there as well, and for a brief second, I remember what it felt like being a kid, with superheroes on my walls. I started analyzing (and over-analyzing) my time travel addiction, and promised to change this time around. Funny how our minds give us these memories when we least expect them, right?
Detail of my son's "New" Flash Poster drawn by, now deceased, Michael Turner.
So, what do you think? Should we never mention the phrase: “When you grow up…” to our kids? Will it help them if we don’t? Give me your input, I’ll be delighted to know your thoughts.
I remember always wanting to rush my adult hood in order to do adult things. One of my favorite cousins told me that as quick as I snap my fingers the years will go buy so fast that I will be more than the appropriate age to go out and party and then I won’t want to and my likes will have changed.
That’s one very Wise cousin you have.
Of course he was right! Thanks for reading and commenting!
Rick,
I have to say that I think keeping a good balance of making your children have dreams of where they want to be in the future will help them be happier if they set their targets early.
I feel like you sometime as of feeling older than some people around me. I had someone say to me a few weeks ago that when you are young stay closer to the older folks and when you are old get closer to the younger ones so you can keep a balance.
I guess they can dream all they want as to what they want to be when they grow up. But it is our job as parents to make sure we help them enjoy the present.
You and Lucy have very Wise people around you! Good. I think you’re on to something. Help them dream of the future while keeping their feet on the present. Sounds easy, although it might prove to be a difficult thing to achieve. Let’s see…
Great comment!