Yesterday was my daughter’s birthday.  My baby’s birthday.  She’s twenty-one.
You’d think it be cause for celebration but what can she do at twenty-one that she hasn’t already done at twenty? Nineteen? Eighteen? Or even fourteen?

When we lived in Japan, she was allowed into the clubs at 18 years old.  When she moved into her own apartment, she went to local “drinking establishments” with her friends.  Sad to say, they didn’t even card her.  But now that she’s at the legal drinking age, it seems like another weekend.  There’s nothing special about it.

Why are kids in a rush to grow up?  I used to tell all of my kids to enjoy their childhoods.  Nevermind if other kids were doing adult stuff, they’ll have the rest of their lives to worry about their love life, family life, career life and if they can scrape up enough money to buy a pack of cigarettes.  Did they listen?  I think you already know the answer to that.

I think Meg has missed out on feeling excited about many milestones in her life because she has always wanted to be the “first” to do this or that.  I know that it’s not just her, I see it in her generation.  Most kids want to rush to become adults and when they finally get there, they wish they could return to a life of living carefree - the life of a child.  Too late for that though.

A few weeks ago she told me that she and a friend of hers were going to have a BBQ at the city beach to celebrate their birthdays (both were born on the 24th).  Lastnight , I ended up taking out ribs and chicken from my freezer so I can marinate them for a BBQ at my house tomorrow.  Their plans flopped.  Maybe they didn’t realize you need to “purchase” food for a barbecue to be successful?  I told her she better be here today so she can help prepare the food.  I’m still waiting.