When I was in the eighth, ninth and tenth grades, I was
young and what I thought to be mature. I was, after all, a
teenager! I had an image to keep up now that I was basically
an adult. I did have a few moments when I let my guard down
and was a child once more; but only my family would see that
side of me during my early morning half hour of "Batman" on
television, or with Oliver (my stuffed bear) deep under the
covers.
After I graduated from the ninth grade of Friends
Academy, I started at Moses Brown School. I thought, this is
high school! I will surely have to act my age. I made some
good friends at Moses Brown, but none of them knew of my
suppressed, and strengthening pension for play. My day was
usually not a good one without "Batman," or my accumulating
assortment of wind-up toys that ranged from gorillas jumping
rope, to telephones that ring and run in circles, to skiing
rabbits. Yet, I remained a closet "childaholic". I felt my
disease was a rare one and if discovered, I would be
ostracized. I didn't have the self-confidence at that point in
my life to realize that it was important to carry the child
into adulthood.
By the time my junior year arrived, I was more assured
about myself. Only then, when I took the time to assess what
it was that set me apart from my peers, did it sink in. I was
child-like in my unfettered approach to life. I welcomed
simple pastimes as pleasures and as essential in a world that
is often cumbersome, difficult and deceptive. I began to share
this capacity with friends who learned to unbend with me. For
my sixteenth birthday party, all of my friends wore party
hats, and were given favors of wind-up toys. The table was
decorated with a "Miss Piggy" table cloth, and the meal was
served on "Miss Piggy" plates and cups. I can't tell you how
many of my sophisticated friends flipped over their toys and
to this day have them poised on their desks ready for use when
we share relaxed moments on the telephone.
Some people may say it is silly, but I think it is a
gift to continue to enjoy simple things and to keep hold of
the child within us all. As we progress and mature, the
pressures of life increase, and we tend to bog down under
them. It is necessary to side step and enjoy. I am happier and
more comfortable with myself because part of what is woven
into my adult years, are the threads of my childhood.
So to my graduating seniors, I commend this
message to you. The child within helps us to find balance and
perspective as adults.
And to my rising seniors I say
a college essay that reaches inside to share a unique corner
of who you are is a very good essay.