Its about young love, hmm, no it isn�t, it�s about the trials of youth. Well, it isn�t even that, it�s simply about life. It just happens to take place in my youth, when I was in love, and the hardships and happiness I experienced.
I was seventeen when it began, 17, one of the more difficult ages in life. What with society telling us that we have to be something, that we must decide our future now, that tomorrow will simply be too late. I don�t� know too many people who could actually do that at that age, many of us had no idea what we wanted to be when we �grew up�. All we wanted was fun, love and more fun. Looking back now I wish I had have put aside all the fun and got an education.
People told me to learn, my mother, brother and friends, but it seems that when you are 17 years old, your ears fail you, well, when it comes to certain matters anyway. What I mean by that is if my mother told me to stay home for the night, I would have walked out the door without an answer , whereas if a friend had asked me to have a joint, I would have heard them clearly, even if whispered across a crowded room.
Yes, drugs come in to this story, they were the thing, drugs and alcohol and boys, friends, cars and possessions. I wanted them all and usually what I wanted, I got. I would love to tell you I was a decent selfless person, but who can be selfless when they need the next smoke, can�t afford the next drink, or want something else that may be out of their reach?
We played the innocent, oh we were good at that. Pine branches to rub on our hands or clothes, and bubble gum or toothpaste, all to attempt to conceal the stink of Cannibus. Exchanging lies with friends �I�m staying at Cherees place mum�, and Cheree lying that she was sleeping over at mine. Feigning the 24 hour bug when we were suffering from self inflicted hangovers.
We did it all.
Parents surprise me with their ignorance sometimes. Believe me, my mother is far from stupid, but the things she could have caught me doing, wow, she would have been amazed. Parents, you don�t think we are doing what you perhaps did when you were younger? Well think again, for as the world evolves, so do the lies children tell their parents. Just so that we can go to a party, or out with a boy. We get more devious and you stay blinded.
Many people describe their parents as over-protective, I used to think my mother was the Queen of over-protectiveness, but looking back at the things I was able to do just from lying, I see now that she wasn�t even close.
I came to realise though, that lies and deciet only got me so far. As they say, �tell the truth, it�s easier to remember�.
I was a child, still learning right from wrong, still working out my priorities, and finally I think I have done that. Good things do take time. What I went through I had to go through to get where I am now.
Don�t get me wrong, I am not a successful business woman, or a millionairess yet, but if I could put my life lessons up to this date into my resume, I would be.
So, 17, a difficult age for some. Others breeze through it, they go to University, get a great job, well good for you. For some decisions are more difficult to make, therefore we were left in the dust. What is success anyway? We know how society perceives it, money, possessions.
I look at you all now though, and what do you really have? A nice car? I have a mountain bike. A 32� television? My 14� has a good clear picture. A rich boyfriend or husband? So do I, rich with love for me.
We could still be friends you and I, though I wonder, would you wipe the seat of my chair before you sit on it? Will you drink the wine I bought for you even though it was the cheapest in the supermarket isle? Will you walk down the street with me wearing my department store clothing, when yours is designer?
I don�t have that kind of division, I don�t think I ever had it. One thing they don�t have a course for at University, is how to have real feelings of empathy for someone just like you, only different. Be it poorer, blacker or fatter.
This is a great lesson I learned while I was on the road at 17. I hope that as you read this, you will come to understand how this can get you by sometimes. How fairness and reason can be the difference between survival and destruction, between failure and success.
So this is the story of my life at that age.
A time I will never forget and often never want to remember.