Youth

Youth is an ever splendid thing. It is vibrant, joyous and adventurous. An era of no responsibilities to many; sheltered, and everlasting. No qualms, perhaps also with a disdain for any kind of guidance. Then comes a realization that one has to compete in today's world. This too, is an adventure, and taken in stride. When we were children, our parents were responsible for us; and true they did a great job of this. In our teens we knew better, or so we thought; we rebelled against things staid; we had a confict of personalities; why? Because we were growing up; neither here no there. Who cares about the world, anyway? It is ours to enjoy and make the most of it. Such is the opium of things at that stage. A few years later we are youthful men and women; many with jobs and family; happy in life. We become sociable, begin to take responsibilities just as our parents did, at home and at work. Slowly we understand things. Some get vain; others mature. But this is still youth! But too late we realize that youth does not last for ever. Our bodies age; our mental make up changes. No longer do we have the energy of days gone by; we look older, and cannot recall why, how and when all these changes came to pass. We yearn for days gone by; of our innocent days when there were no burdens; for our parents, who are no longer with us today; golden words they had said to us; their love and silent wisdom. They had been through this, too, we then reckon. Yes, youth is a wondrous thing; it never comes back.