What got me thinking is when I heard the song 'Volvo Driving Soccer Mom.' Ok, so I never was a topless dancer in a strip club, and never had a threesome, but I was a bad boy as a teen. I look back and see how 'stupid' I was. Of course I am comparing it to the experience I now have.
I did enough Drugs for everyone in my state combined, sold drugs to support my habit, had sex with... well, more that I should have anyway. I had my first child at 17. I was not an unintelegent person. I have a high IQ, so why did I act so dumb anyway?
I find it interesting now that I always seemed to stay with the wrong women and let the great ones go. I mean how many other 'stupid' men are out there that will let a woman jump on his back and beat him in the back of his head and just get her down and ask, "are you done yet?" I put up with abuse and turned away all the women that were good for me. Lessons are learned, but for me they are learned with a bat up side of my head. Thank God for a thick skull.
I must say I see many redeming qualities as I got older though. I took responsibility for my child at the age of 17 to the point where I thew out my abusive girlfriend and got custody of an infant. I was the one that took care of her, staying up all night long through the ear infections and upset stomachs, rocking her in the rocking chair and singing till we both fell asleep. I still have so many pictured that my dad took of me asleep in the rocking chair with my daughter in my arms.
The part I never figured out was when did I grow up. I used to lament, ever so slightly, missing my teens, but heck, I would have wasted it I'm sure. The thing is now I'm a soccer dad. I ref, coach, and serve on the Board of our local AYSO. I work, I spend time with my family... When did this happen any way. I serve on the board of the FOPA, for crying out loud. I ran from cops in my teens and now I support law enforcement.
I'm not lamenting my turn over the years to a responsible, law abiding, contributing member of sociaty, I enjoy who I am now for the most part. I just can't see how it happened.
I like my life, and love the fact I keep growing and changing. I don't plan on being the same tomorrow as I am today. I want to get better every day. It just seems weird looking back and seeing the path behind... But you know what? It makes the path ahead look ever more exciting.
I'm living for today, and tomorrow seems more exciting than every, everyday.