The Enlightenment

I want to start off by wishing everyone a very happy Fourth of July!

This holiday, celebrated in The United States of America, commemorates the day the early provisional United States government ratified The Declaration of Independence, formally separating 13 states on the Eastern coast of the United States from Great Britain.

Let me get this out of the way. For those working today at nonessential stores, who didn’t want to work today, and were forced to come to work under pain of hunger or loss of job, I sympathize with you, and wish you can make the most of July Fourth anyway.

For those working essential services—such as our doctors—thank you.

Mm. Anyways.

I know this occasion is meant to be one of joy and fun—and believe me, I will be partying it up! But I’ve been in a pensive state this time.

There’s been a feeling wisping around me like a fog. It calls to me—it is the fog of nostalgia. As I transition from old adolescent to young adult, I’ve found myself feeling awfully nostalgic for the good old days.

Maybe they weren’t necessarily so good all the time once I take off the rose-tinted glasses. But there were things that undoubtedly made things feel better.

A lot of things were taken off your shoulders, things you have to worry about as an adult. Paying the bills. Paying the rent. Charting your path. Even things like planning trips was taken for granted!

I know that unfortunately, many children have to bear such responsibilities early. But this longing for simpler times has been my experience the last few days.

On the bright side, just as this day is about freedom, I can take comfort in the knowledge that I, as an adult, have won my freedom. Sometimes freedom can be scary or unforgiving. But it’s freedom nonetheless.