Well, during the last few months on the Plains, I have come to understand the meaning of the phrase.
The person was not saying, you can’t go back to the house, but rather that you will never be able to return to the innocence of your life. The return which everyone I know is trying to make.
You see, we try to grow up too fast, and our family tells us to slow down numerous times, but we don’t listen. Then when we reach the point of adulthood, and we are not ready for the responsibility.
This same concept applies to college-age kids as well. We go off to college excited about being on our own, but get a rude awakening when reality hits.
Your parents do what they can to raise you the right way, so they build this semi-make-believe world of safety and love. But once you leave that world and step into reality, you can never really make it back.
So how do you move forward, knowing you cannot go back? That is the question everyone has to ask themselves. You cannot skip the intimidating and hard parts of life just because you are scared. You have to go through all of those times to really get something out of life.
The only thing I have figured out is that your parents can be your compass. They are there for you only when you have lost your way, but are able to guide you back onto the right path. Certainly they would never make every decision for you, but they would be sure to help you when you make wrong choices.
It is hard to bite the bullet and admit when you’re wrong, especially to your parents, but in the long run it will strengthen your relationship and help you see them as people.
You never know your parents could soon become your best friends.
