The adult you have become?

**rwc1969** · 12-24-2009, 05:38 PM

The child I once were? I still am that child in adult form. But, he would be happy, dissapointed, surprised, grateful, mad and accepting among other things.

Happy that I survived, school, ignorant and foolish teachers, law, corrupt and self righteous pigs, medical bills, and the corrupt and poorly managed system that breeds them, and every other societal woe that I can't recall off hand. Happy that I maintained the thought process, reasoning, that so many of us throw away as we become "adults". Happy that I managed to get by thus far without lying to myself.

Dissapointed that I have changed so much, to conform to society, giving up freedoms I hold so dear. Giving up beliefs and certain aspects of american pride. Dissapointed that the world is moving in the direction it is and I have no real control over it....or very little at best.

Surprised that I am still alive and not in prison. Surprised that the "adult" world is so much different than the naive world of the child. Surprised that people as a society are self destructive by nature or design. Surprised that we have not evolved enough to realize the mistakes of past societies and learn from them. Surprised that with all the knowledge and modern technological advances we have and warning signs we are so blind to the reality this society beholds us. Surprised that our "knowledge" hasn't helped us realize that wisdom is a far more important trait to have.

Grateful that I had enough common sense to accept the things I cannot change, no I'm not an AA person but the sentence fits. Grateful that with so much evil in the world there is still good if you look real hard. Grateful that eventhough americans have willfully, and unwillfullly, given up many freedoms that there are still some freedoms available to us that other nations have not.

Mad that I have or at least had more cool toys than my childself could have ever imagined. Heck, when I was growing up a button on a string was a neat toy, but lil green army men was neater. Mad that I was able to become so tainted by all the bad apples of this world. Mad that the world couldn't be the way I thought it was when I was a naive lil kid.

Accepting all the things that have affected and changed me for better or worse. Realizing that, all said and done, I was able to keep afloat and take care of myself and family without resorting to evil like so many do these days. And bottom line that's what it's all about.

Actually, I have a hard time with the word adult, because so many adults are very childish in their actions these days. Talking like a kid and making foolish jokes and pranks is one thing, but actions are what I judge a person by. I don't see too many adults walkin around these days. Saying adult things is one thing, living them is another altogether. I see lots of "adults" behaving like spoiled kids. Maybe if more "adults" behaved like adults the world would be a better place. Then again, maybe if more adults behaved like naive lil kids the world would be a better place.

Maybe there are no more naive lil kids left in this world. Maybe they've all been spoiled by Television and such.

**gryffynklm** · 12-24-2009, 05:38 PM

I guess that the little kid in me would say I thought you for got about me.

Like most, I have done the things you are supposed to do get a job provide for family take care of parents..... You know do what you must so that on occasion I can do what I have a passion for. I followed the "Quality of a man's life" (see signature). Its been at times hard, frustrating and even fulfilling on occasion.

Now I live on the edge of amazing wilderness. I'm may not be Jeremiah Johnson but the kid is happier now that we are able to get out there.

The expedition team:
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12-24-09 8:30 am Seneca Rocks WV
Tom (Son) Tom (Son in law) Me

The goal:
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Not to climb just hike around it.

**pocomoonskyeyes** · 12-24-2009, 05:38 PM

Originally Posted by Sourdough

Yeah, Well my daddy can beat-up your daddy.

Nuh-uh He can't either!!

**Rick** · 12-24-2009, 06:11 PM

So what? My mom can beat up your dad so there!

**FVR** · 12-24-2009, 06:41 PM

The child I once was would look at me like I looked at my grandfather.

Wow, a US Recon Marine with all that cool training, then be impressed with my prim. skills and bow building and hunting.

Then like my son, he would see past the hooya crap, see a man who is sometimes lost because he grew up without a father. A man who is sometimes a hardass and sometimes has itchy eyes at certain movies that quickly gets wiped away.

He would see a man who on one hand could take on the world and yet in an instant may dissapear to re-group if it all goes to hell in a handbasket.

He would think that yes, my daddy could whoop your daddy and skin him to boot. Yet, also wonders why he has a hard time killing animals.

The child in me is long gone..............is that a good thing? I don't know. All I can do is the best I can while trying to improve everyday of my life.

Here ya go Volwest......................have fun.

**cowgirlup** · 12-24-2009, 06:47 PM

That child would be amazed that I'm still alive! I had a rough start and was surprised that I lived to see 21. Now I'm way past that. I don't mind all the rough times either. I like who I am today because of the things I got through in life.

**oldsoldier** · 12-25-2009, 12:57 AM

Originally Posted by Pal334

I would guess he would be very suprised. A farm boy that has seen and done things that I had only dreamed (and had nightmares at times) about as a kid.

I know what ya mean. Being a country boy "survivalism" was second natre. But some of the wonderful places uncle sammy sent me as well as now living in a city of 300,000+ ? Would never of dreamed it. Nightmare?.....Maybe!

**Dross** · 12-25-2009, 02:08 AM

I think that the little boy I once was might be disappointed that his head has remained the same size it was in middle school, but over all, he'd be ok with it. Every dream and goal that he had was achieved and then some. I get to teach martial arts for a living, make music in front of people (some times even for money), a great family, I've lived in Africa, smoke a pipe, and can start a fire. hell yes.

**mountain mama** · 12-25-2009, 10:24 AM

The child would look at me and say "damn, she's tame! and FAT". It's funny the toll parenthood takes on one.

**Sarge47** · 12-25-2009, 11:26 AM

We're supposed to become adults? When did this happen? Nobody tells me anything!

**hunter63** · 12-25-2009, 12:33 PM

Spent a lot of years, trying "not to be like my father" and now it seems like I have turned out more and more like him, Thank God!
I even go "uhmmf" when I get up.........

Miss ya, Dad.

**Camp10** · 12-25-2009, 07:36 PM

The kid would have never guessed I would have seen 30! He tried to keep me from getting here a few times but now at 35 I hope he would be ok with me. We are still the same guy after all!

That said, I doubt very much he could have sat down with a paper and pen and wrote an accurate description of who, what and where I am today.

**oly** · 12-25-2009, 07:59 PM

Originally Posted by Sarge47

We're supposed to become adults? When did this happen? Nobody tells me anything!

No difference just less restrictions.

We all still have the kid in us whether you wont to admit it or not.

**wareagle69** · 12-25-2009, 10:55 PM

i have thought about this thread for a couple of days now, and started to write then erased what i have started. simply put.. the kid i was..was a wolf, the man i have become is a sheepdog,interpret it as you may

**Ole WV Coot** · 12-25-2009, 11:34 PM

The young me didn't change much for longer than most of you have been alive. I'm an only child, left home after high school, don't want to think much about what I've done and seen. Don't drink now, still have the won't back down attitude, do stupid things on ATVs, bikes and will go bear hunting with a switch. The young me was intelligent and had big plans, full scholarship to UK but I guess I discovered booze & women about the same time, got kicked out of two colleges and disappointed a lot of folks. I can't take it back but at 17 I never thought I would do what I have and enjoyed it. Happy with myself, only the last 15 or so years.

**huntermj** · 12-26-2009, 01:47 AM

That kid was one mean little punk. Hed do things just to make people like me angry. He would never conform to societies rules man, Never. Funny, i havent seen him around for awhile.
Not sure how i feel about that.

**your_comforting_company** · 12-26-2009, 09:22 AM

the kid I was would likely laugh in disdain at the man I've become. I'm sure the two would have nothing to do with one another. I used to be very naive and ambitious. I used to think material things mattered. success was measured by a different rule.

The kid I was would be disappointed in the man I am today, but that's okay, because I'm disappointed in the kid I was. somewhere along the line, the time I spent outdoors set in and my views changed. something magical happened and I never looked back. We still write to each other around the holidays, but I haven't seen that kid in nigh of 18 years.