I was having a conversation last night with a friend about the best age to be. He was saying how his years at Gymnasium (middle school) were as good as it got. At first, I agreed with him. Our biggest worries back then were whether it would be sunny enough for recess outside, and when the pool was finally going to open for the summer.
After considering the conversation for some time later, I realized that there's also something to be said for growing a bit older. The things I appreciate now are very different than the things I used to appreciate. Youthful curiousity and naieve wonderment have been replaced (though not entirely, I hope) by patient consideration and
...
No, as I'm writing this I am changing my opinion again. It isn't that it's changing from and to, it's that some circle is being completed. After searching for new things to make me go "wow," I'm realizing how often those are the simple things that don't even require you to go far. The pyramids were impressive, but having dinner with my mom and appreciating that we were together as adults was the "wow." Instead of my own youthful curiousity keeping me excited, it is watching a classmate's new baby discover his fingers that gives me shivers.
With my time in Germany running shorter and my excuses for staying growing thin, I'm also realizing how I've also changed over this program. Two years, ago, I was excited at the adventure of visiting the places I have and seeing the things I did. That is certainly not something I would want to miss, but I am also glad for the things that I didn't have to leave for, and the things I had to leave behind in order to appreciate.
The people around me have changed me, and they have changed the way I look at them. Given the choice, laughing and eating and playing cards with the people I love is more fulfilling than climbing Mount Everest. Perhaps this is just something that happens, and perhaps it will change again, but now I am really starting to understand the appeal of just staying in one place. You don't need to go far to find happiness. Sometimes you just have to go home.
Flown by mariposa at 03:29 PM on May 26, 2006
