When Life Throws You a Curveball

Have you ever thought about how life can be compared to a baseball game? To some people a baseball game is not that easy to understand, just like life. To others, it is perhaps the most exciting game on Earth, just like life.

Baseball is a bat and ball game, 9 players on each team, batting and fielding. Although it is a team sport, whether or not the team is going to run the field and switch bases depends pretty much on who is batting. The game does not follow a game clock, but the game lasts nine innings. So many curveballs are thrown at you during your nine innings, which can be defined as:

•             1st inning – from zero to two. You are born start getting used to using this fantastic machine that was given to you. Learn how to walk, talk, eat, potty, take afternoon naps and so much more.

•             2nd inning- from two to five. You try out behaviors and ask why. But mainly you play and still take afternoon naps although much shorter.

•             3rd inning- from 6 to 10. Go to school. You are put into an institution or system which is at first full of fun and games, but then it starts getting serious and tries to mold you into all the other students in the classroom.

•             4rd inning- from 10 to 12. No-man land. Who are you? You are neither a child nor a teenager. Confusing inning.

•             5th inning- from 13 to 18. I-know-everything land. I will live forever. I can do whatever I want to. The time of dealing with something called hormones. Time to define what you are going to do for the rest of your life.

•             6th inning- from 19-24. University time. Sex, drugs and rock n´roll. Find a job. Work, work and work. Party, party, and party.

•             7th inning- from 25- 35. Work and work and work. Time to settle down? Travel? Have kids? Buy real estate?

•             8th inning- from 35- 49. Pretty much have want you want and pretty much are happy with what you have. You should be at least.

9th inning -50 and over. You have reached the top of the hill and are starting to come down. Now is the time to keep on playing until the game is over.

In Baseball the players run the bases in a counter-clockwise direction. They start off at home plate, run to first, second and third bases. Their final objective is to return to home plate to score a point for their team.

Life is pretty much like this. You have a goal to reach and if you hit the ball right you can move from base to base until you reach your goal. However, you go in a clockwise direction most of the times and if you do go counter-clockwise people will think you are strange or mad.

Life is the pitcher, just like the pitcher in the game, life throws balls at you. There are four pitches in baseball that can be compared to the balls that life throws at you; fastball, changeup (off-speed pitch), curveball and slider.

The fastball is the most common pitch in the game. In life that would be the everyday decisions that you need to make when it comes to work, family and health. These are easy to deal with and at most they can make you a little stressed but nothing that you cannot shake off and move on to the next base. Let´s call it daily issues in the daily routine.

The change-up ball looks like a fastball but arrives much slower to the plate. Those are the problems that start growing and hit you in the face. Not that you didn´t have a clue that they were appearing, but what you put off for the next day.

A slider is a ball that is a cutter. It just appears to throw you off track, to upset you, for you to swing at it without thinking and strike out. These could be unwanted debts; an illness; a relationship issue; and so on.

Now, a curveball is the one to watch out for. There is actually the expression to throw a curveball, which means to introduce a significant deviation to a preceding concept. In other words, you are in your comfort zone and life says: “Oh no you don´t. You need to change. You need to grow. You need to evolve. Let´s see how you can handle this new heath issue, divorce, death of a loved one, loss of money, unemployment, loneliness, heartbreak …” so many curveballs are thrown at you when you are up for bat and ready to move on to another base. Sometimes you want to give up and throw the bat very far away. But there are times that you spit, hits you shoes with the bat and step up to the plate.

When it comes to dealing with people strikes are good. One, two, three strikes and the person is out of your life, mind you, it does help.

So try to sit back and enjoy the game because when the referee says: “Game over!”, the game is over.

Written: September 20, 2016

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My Knight in Shining Armor has met his Last Dragon...

       My knight in shining armor, who also happens to be the King of my castle, has been slaying dragons all his life. He has been protecting his family and palace bravely and fiercely ever since I was born. I have watched him throughout his battles defeat some of the ugliest dragons one can imagine. Through each and every combat fought with sword and shield he came out a winner, strong and wiser, nonetheless, with a few bruises and scars. He has held his head up high and worn the crown, filled with jewels of honor, honesty, hard work, and integrity that has shown the others in the kingdom that he has reigned and ruled.

       His family has praised him throughout these years and has been proud of his acts of heroism. The Queen, as bold as she can be, has also praised the King´s bravery and boasted about the way he did away with those dragons.

       However, last year, right about this time, the ugliest and most powerful beast has caught up with him and is making him suffer the consequences for not knowing how to stop pursuing him. There is no armor that can shield him from it; no battle axe, sword, crossbow that can help his majesty fight against this monster; there is no fort with high walls to protect him from it. He has been wounded and the wound is eating him up.

       The Queen is at loss, the princesses are weeping as they watch his struggle to live on. However, deep down inside everyone in the court knows that eventually he will have to surrender and give up his throne; not an easy task to do. Nonetheless, the sovereign will leave his reign knowing that he did everything he could to fight and slay this destructive dragon.

       When this day comes, a dark cloud will overtake the kingdom. But the court will always remember how brave and noble their Knight, King, was.

Written: September 26, 2016 :  for my dad.
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And the Patience Award Goes to…

Previously I have mentioned what I enjoy doing in my spare time. One of these things is walking in the park. When I want to get away, I put on my headphones and walk while tripping in some land that the music is taking me to.

At other times, I prefer to listen to what is going on around me; like the birds chirping away, the dogs barking, the frogs croaking and the people talking.

There are many times that I catch myself laughing or getting angry at what is being said. Eavesdropping? Maybe, but if it weren´t made to be heard, it wouldn´t be said.

I want to tell you the story of a young boy and his father. I was walking ahead of them because my legs were hurting and it was a really chilly morning. The son, around 16 years of age, was walking ahead of his dad a bit and kept saying `Come on dad. Let´s go. Move it.´ His dad would say funny things like, `Today I am slower than the dogs.´ His son didn´t laugh though, and he asked his father why the dogs were slow today.

As we kept on walking, I caught myself smiling at the questions and answers that were being given. There was one thing that I still haven´t mentioned; this son was mentally impaired. He would repeat every other sentence 3 times. I listened long enough to figure out his pattern. As he walked by each gate in the park he would try to convince his father to go to a specific place near there, for instance; a bakery, a newsstand or a way home. Patiently the father answered each of his questions several times by explaining why they weren´t going to those places. He would ask three times and the father answered three times.

One particular dialogue caught my attention. The son commented that the father wasn´t telling him to shut up today, which made me think that we all go through a dry spell of patience. However, on this particular morning this father deserved an award for being the most relaxed and patient man that I have ever seen.

Written: September 8, 2016 Todos os direitos reservados a Meire Marion

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A Sleepless Night

I am grieving, but he is still hasn´t left.

I am crying, because he is withering away.

I feel helpless and wish I could take away his pain.

I feel sad that he has to go through such distress.

I am falling even though I am getting help.

I see signs that I do not want to see.

I hear words that I do not want to hear.

I feel pain that I do not want to feel.

I am grateful to be able to spend the time left together, though.

I pray for a cure.

I pray for an answer.

I pray for grace.

I pray for mercy.

Is there anything left to do?

Just pray….

(Written:  August 25, 2016) Todos os direitos reservados a Meire Marion

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When the Flame Dies Out…

Often when we are in a relationship we tend to believe that what we get in exchange is the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth. In the beginning of the relationship, perhaps this is what happens. After all you are in love and tend to see no faults in the loved one. Cloud nine is a pretty awesome place to be on. But what about the cases in which the flame dies out and the only thing left to do is end the relationship? What to do then? How to let the other person know that you do not love them any longer?

Some couples are mature enough to sit down and both want to end the relationship in a civilized way. Although they may be heartbroken, they manage to put an end to their relationship status and still remain friends. They have closure which helps them move on in life.

On the other hand there are those situations in which one person is still hanging on to that last thread and hoping that the flame will reignite as simple as lighting a match. In this case sitting down to discuss the relationship is hard and most of the times impossible.

Telling the other person that the flame has died out may be impossible for a number of reasons:

·         The person is not brave enough to let out the words and say it is over; or

·      -   too immature to realize that closure is necessary; or

·     -    already has replaced the old flame with a new flame and is embarrassed to admit it; or

·   -     can´t handle seeing the other person crying or begging to stay together while talking about breaking up; or

·     -    likes to hold on to someone just in case they are on a rebound and doesn´t want to be alone; or

·   -       simply doesn´t think that closure is important.

Breaking up is hard to do, so the saying and song go, but closure is important. As much as it hurts, it is only fair to tell the other person that you do not love them any longer and that your future plans or intentions do not include him or her.

Nobody has to be with the same person forever. You should be with someone who wants to be with you and you want to be with not just because they feel sorry for you or because he or she is waiting for someone better to come around and doesn´t want to be alone in the meantime.

So take a deep breath and either make it work out or let the other person go.

Written: August 11, 2016 Todos os direitos reservados a Meire Marion

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Pokémon GO Fever in Brazil

They are here! To be exact, they arrived yesterday. Can the word arrived be used? Guess, that appeared would be better; the word invaded too. The city has been invaded with these little some cute, some not so cute creatures of all shapes and colors.

Watching the way the fever possessed the kids at school was an act in itself. Groups of children of all ages walking around school trying to catch the Pokémons that were there. No one was sitting down during the breaks; they were walking around looking at the world through their cell phones.

Eagerness grew in the air as the students wanted to give the teachers explanations of how to play the game in every class. The students were more interested in playing the game than attending classes. The students didn’t want to talk about anything else. As the day went by, I learned more and more about the game.

At first, I thought it was a rather stupid thing to want to do, but as I observed the students throughout the day, I realized that there is a positive side to playing this peculiar game or perhaps many.

Kids who do not usually socialize with certain peers were doing so. The children were all in the same boat. No one was being classified as smarter or dumber, they just walked around together. And perhaps, the most important point is that they have to move around. It is the only game that I have heard of that makes you get up and move which is a plus when you realize that youngsters are becoming more and more obese due to sitting in front of a screen in their free time instead of exercising and playing outside.

I am sure that as time goes by, I will realize other benefits. For the time being I will just observe and pray that no one gets hurts playing this game.

Please remember that you can adjust your cell phone to vibrate when there is a Pokemon in the area, so you really do not need to walk around staring at your screen.

Have fun playing but be safe!

Written: August 5, 2016 Todos os direitos reservados a Meire Marion

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Months of Observation

Day in, day out, she sits on her wooden box as one, two, three, five hundred cars drive by or stop at the red light. She doesn´t blink, sits there as if she were a statue.

When it rains she sits there wrapped in plastic shopping bags. She just sits there. Perhaps she is watching the traffic go by, perhaps her eyes go where no one can see, or perhaps she is blind. She does not own an umbrella.

At first glance you think she is sitting on a chair, but if you take a closer look, you will notice that she is sitting on a wooden grate. On the left side of the grate there are plastic bags filled with all her belongings. Maybe her belongings are food, clothes and pictures of her family who have forgotten her.

She does not speak. Once she was seen near the traffic light sitting very close to the curb holding on to a light post. Guess she was doing that to catch the breeze as the cars raced by to beat the red light it might have been a scorching summer day. On real cold days, she just sits near a wall. Not bothering the people who pass by.

One day while she was seated closer to the curb under a tree, a girl who was walking by perhaps on her way home from work, hit her on the arm and greeted her. The woman wrapped in plastic bags smiled broadly with a few teeth missing, nonetheless, it must have made her day. She shyly looked around to see whether anyone had noticed the act of kindness.

After having observed her for months, I decided that I wanted to help her some way, either by giving her some clothes or food. I decided to do both. I didn’t want to offend her, so I had planned to ask her whether she would accept a donation.

I left work on a sunny Wednesday and as I reached her location she was nowhere to be seen. Her stool made of a wooden box and her backpack where there, but she wasn’t. Perhaps she had gone to the bathroom nearby, perhaps she had been kidnapped, and many maybes ran in my head. I went home worried.

On the following day I tried once again and there she was. She was sitting closer to the curb. I rolled down my window and asked her whether she would accept my donation; she smiled and kindly said that if it was a blanket she did not have a place to keep it. She said that there was not much room in the small room where she slept and se added that she was afraid of thieves. I told her it was a coat, a scarf and a long-sleeved blouse. She thanked me but said she already had those articles of clothing and asked me to donate it to some one else. I agreed and then said that the other donation was crackers and cookies. She showed me such a broad smile and said that she would be more than happy to accept that. She also mentioned that if God willing she would soon get her house back. I did not ask much because some car stopped behind me and the driver started to honk. I just asked her her name and she said Sara, Rebecca Sara. With that being said I drove away.

Written July 28, 2016

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By Meire Marion on cell phone

The Flip-flops Flew

They were walking hand in hand down the street. It was a rather cold day and you could tell that they did not have a good financial situation. He was wearing a short sleeve shirt, cotton dress up pants and she was wearing a short sleeve dress; on their feet blue flip-flops and pink flip-flops. They might have felt the cold weather hit their bare body parts but on their faces broad smiles; happy souls hand in hand.

Flip-flop they went it seemed as if we were on the same pace which meant that traffic was pretty heavy. Suddenly the light turned red and my car came to a halt. In front of my car they continued on their way crossing the street.

All of a sudden there was a loud screeching sound, a thump and the two pairs of flip-flops flew across my window shield. A feeling from my gut crept up to my throat and I let out a loud scream. They had been hit, as they were happily crossing, by a car whose driver had not seen that the light had turned red. Their bodies flew to one side while their flip-flops flew in the opposite direction.

As a witness, I got out of my car to see what I could do to help. Everyone was on their  cell phones trying to call for help. I picked up their flip-flops and laid them near their bodies. I could not bear to look at them and perhaps this scene while stay in my mind for a long time. However, I would rather remember them as I had seen them happily walking hand in hand on a cold and busy day.

Written: June 20, 2016 Todos os direitos reservados a Meire Marion

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Kindness Generates Kindness

The title of this short thought may be a cliché, however, it can probably be proven scientifically. Since I am not a scientist, I won´t be able to affirm this. However, from personal experience, and which I make my life my personal laboratory, I can cite a few examples.

Once I had to confirm a flight back to Brazil and when I mentioned this to the person on the other side of the line, she mentioned that she would be spending her next vacation in Brazil and wondered if I could give her a few tips. I happily told her about some good places to go to and some areas to avoid. She was so grateful that I had given her a piece of my time, that when she saw where I was seated on the plane, she booked me in a better seat. You see, I had not asked for it. I guess it was her way of thinking me for my act of kindness.

One day at the supermarket there was a woman who had let a bunch of tomatoes fall from the stall because she chose the one at the very bottom. They are the best ones she told me as I helped her gather the scattered tomatoes. I really do not understand why they stack the tomatoes. Of course if you take the one at the bottom, the ones on top will tumble to the ground. Nonetheless, while I was helping her, the other people were just staring instead of helping. Deep down inside she was embarrassed but grateful that someone helped her out. After the tomatoes were placed back in their stall, she came up to me and hugged me to thank me for helping her out. She also mentioned that she had a bad back and it would have taken her a bit longer to gather all the scattered tomatoes. It made me feel good and I got a warm hug for my act of kindness.

Another situation was once when I was going to a meeting at night in a dangerous neighborhood here in São Paulo. As I was locking my car, I noticed two men walking in my direction. Since I had just flown back from a month in Canada, when they approached me I greeted them with a wide smile and said good evening. I guess I caught them off guard because they returned shy smiles and soft spoken good evenings. I left the car and headed to my meeting. During the meeting I discovered that two men had been stealing cars in the neighborhood. The description fit those two men whom I had greeted earlier. At the end of the meeting, some of people from the meeting decided that it would be safer to walk people to their cars. When we reached mine, to everyone´s surprise I had forgotten to lock it. Nonetheless, there it was: untouched. Was it an act of kindness on behalf of the men?  I like to think it was.

There is a video that I saw the other day, which you probably have seen also of a young man who buys a birthday cake for a poor little boy. Years go by and the young man is older and in a wheelchair. His grandchildren bring him a birthday cake and he says they shouldn´t have because they couldn´t afford it, but the kids tell him that a nice man paid for it and handed a note that read: be kind unto others.  It is certainly a tear jerker. But that is the bottom line. Be kind.

            An act of kindness can change a life; can heal a wound; can lighten a situation; can bring a happy moment. I do believe that kindness generates kindness.

            Do you have any stories to share of acts of kindness? Share it in the comments below.

Written June 9, 2016 Todos os direitos reservados a Meire Marion

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May is Celiac Awareness Month

May is Celiac  awareness month. I discovered that I have this disease in 2011 after reading an article about it. As I had been suffering for many years from some of the symptoms, I decided to take out the gluten from my diet. The first week already felt the benefits of a gluten-free diet. That was in April.

In May I was hospitalized and unable to walk. (That's another story). Since I was going to undergo numerous tests, I asked to be tested for Celiac disease and was tested positive.

A few years later my abdominal pains returned too hard so I went to gastroenterologist and had an endoscopy and a colonoscopy done, which confirmed prior blood tests.

Since then, I've been studying a lot about Celiac disease and have joined some Celiac groups where a whole new world has opened up to me.

My luck is that my kitchen is fully gluten- free. But unfortunately when I eat food prepared in other kitchens, I still have discomfort due to the gluten contamination. (Pots and pans that have been used for other products containing gluten can cause this).

In Brazil there is a 10-year law which enforces that products must state whether the product contains gluten or not. This is already super positive and makes life easier. But there are also restaurants where they tell you they serve gluten-free dishes, but use the same kitchen. That is not a problem for people who just got rid of gluten from their diets to lose weight, but for people with Celiac Disease that can be quite dangerous, not to mention painful.

Before you make any changes in your diet, make sure to consult a doctor.

Here are a few facts that I have learned about Celiac disease.

Celiac disease may present with one or more symptoms and all complaints should be considered. The most common symptoms are:

- Chronic diarrhea (lasting more than 30 days)

- Constipation

- Anemia

- Lack of appetite

- Vomiting

- Weight loss / obesity

- Delayed growth

- Mood changes: irritability or depression

- Abdominal distention (bloating)

- Abdominal pain

- Repeat Thrush

- Osteoporosis / osteopenia

- Delayed growth in children

- Repeat Abortions.

What is the diagnosis of Celiac Disease like?

 After clinical suspicion, the exams that allow the diagnosis of Celiac Disease are:

- Laboratory tests: serological tests to dose the gliadin, endomysial and transglutaminase antibodies;

- Endoscopy with biopsy of the small intestine (duodenum) to confirm the diagnosis.

Do not start a gluten-free diet before undergoing the tests to not affect the results.

Celiac Disease Foundation:

https://celiac.org/celiac-disease/what-is-celiac-disease/

Written: May 11, 2016 Todos os direitos reservados a Meire Marion

W.W.J.D.?

You may be wondering what the letters in the title of this post stand for. Perhaps you already know what it is. I learned it in a movie that I watched during the weekend called In His Steps. Apparently it is a common abbreviation known by Christians. However, I would like to know how many Christians do know what it stands for. Any ideas up to here?

The movie In His Steps tells the story of a widowed carpenter who tries to help a boy who burned and trashed the parish church. The boy is going through a tough time in his life with the separation of his parents and his really hard teenage years where he decides to quit school and moves in with Mr. Otto (the carpenter) who helps him work his life out. The boy also helps Mr. Otto carve the wood that the boy had destroyed so they can be replaced. This is when he is taught W.W.J.D.? It is a simple question that Mr. Otto makes him promise to ask himself before each decision he has to make or each act that he is going to make: What would Jesus do?

It is a heartwarming film which I recommend to everyone Christian or not.

So now you know what the abbreviation stands for. It seems to be such a simple question to ask, doesn´t it? Deep down inside, it is very hard to answer this question. Let´s look at an example from the movie. The boy in the movie decides to quit school. Being that the movie takes place in the US, it is possible for a teenager to quit school at sixteen. Therefore, he can even though it really upsets his parents. After all you only have another year to go before you graduate from high school so why would someone take the easy road out and drop out? However, when he asks himself W.W.J.D.?, he gets confused and answers that there weren´t school at Jesus´s time. Right he is. He thinks about the situation a bit more and then decides that Jesus would not have quit school if there were school at the time.

In conclusion, what if we all asked ourselves the question: W.W.J.D.? Perhaps the world would be a better place to live in. Perhaps people would be kinder to one another. Perhaps people would be more honest in their jobs, lives, towards others.

Why not give it a try. Next time you find yourself in a decision making situation, ask yourself: W.W.J.D.?

           

Written April 11, 2016 Todos os direitos reservados a Meire Marion

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Good Friday

John 3:16

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Have you ever had to take your child to the ER for the first time for him to get stitches in his head because he fell down and cracked it open? Remember the pain you felt as your child screamed and squirmed while the doctor told to you to hold the child still. The little child in your arms looked at you pleading for you to release him but you did as the doctor told you to because you knew it was for his own good. Yet those eyes begging at you and even though your heart was aching for you knew the great stress and pain you were putting that little child through, you held on as tight as you could while the doctor stuck the needle in the child’s head. Tears rolled down your eyes, too. But you had to be strong and you knew that in the end it would be good for your child. You did it out of love. Because you loved your child so much that is why you did it. Afterwards, the child is grateful that you were there in with him during this difficult situation and that it was you who were holding him instead of a stranger. It hurt, didn’t it? But in the end all was well.

Have you ever taken a loved one for a chemotherapy session? You accompany him and try to be there for him during the whole process. You suffer along with him because you love him so much that you would even be willing to trade places with him. Nonetheless you try to show strength and make him smile and laugh to lessen the suffering. You do all you can because you know that it will be beneficial to the loved one. You do it out of love. You can be sure that the loved one appreciates your being there each step of the way throughout the battle; win or lose. It hurts, doesn’t it? But in the end it is worth is.

Have you ever had to deal with a friend who has lost his memory due to a disease? You go and visit the friend despite his not knowing who you are. You go because you know who he is and how much the friendship means to you. You go visit him in the resting home because you love him and love does not end just because he has lost his memory. It hurts, doesn’t it? But in the end, you can sleep well because you have done the right thing; honored the friendship.

There are several situations in which we do what we do, despite the pain and inflictions, as an act of love. That is exactly what God did for us. He gave up His only son who was crucified and died for us so that we could be rid of sin and have eternal life. What a wondrous thing to do. Pure love; so much love that cannot compare to any kind of love that we have felt. But it hurt Him too. God also suffered as He watched His son being judged, whipped, humiliated, nailed to a cross, supplicating for His help and finally dying. Imagine the pain He felt as a parent giving up His only son, to be sacrificed to save the world; to save you and me. So much love, so much care, so much selflessness. John 3.17 “Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”

Therefore, Good Friday is a good day to reflect on how much He loves us. Yes, you are loved. God loves all His children. He just doesn’t run after them. He wants His children to look for Him and have a relationship with Him. Give it a try; it is a sure win deal. Sometimes there is pain, but in the end it is worth it.

March 25, 2016 Todos os direitos reservados a Meire Marion

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You Have Lung Cancer

“You have lung cancer. I need more lab tests to see which drug I can give you during your chemotherapy. But we´ll get through this…bla bla bla bla.”

The doctor just rambles on while your brain has stopped at the YOU HAVE LUNG CANCER part of his speech.

No warnings.

No smile.

No beating around the bush.

Right smack out in your face.

It is the same as hearing you are going to die. Fear races up to your brain and an alarm goes off. `I am going to die.´ And that rings so loud in your head that you lose all senses. A big great hole opens up under your feet. (In fact, hiding in a hole is not such a bad idea at this point.)

Realizing that you are still in the doctor´s office, you feel like getting up and running really far away. Far away from this thing he just said that you had. Perhaps out run it and leave it behind as if through speed you can separate your body from it.

Suddenly you are awakened by the words: "do you have any questions?"

Do I have any questions? Do I have any questions? The real question is: do you have the answers to my questions?

At this point, tons of questions are popping up in your mind and the answers too.

A barrel of negative answers fill your head.

Will I see my grandchildren get married? No!

Will the treatment cure this cancer? Who knows?

Will I be able to live without depending on others? No!

Will I be able to stand all this information bombarding my brain? No!

Of course, you are not alone; sitting beside you is a loved one who is biting one´s lips not to burst into tears trying to get as much information as possible to make sure the treatment will be well administered.

“Ok, so as soon as your insurance liberates the treatment, which will probably begin next year because it is almost Christmas time, we will start the treatment.”

What?

Wait until next year?

What if I get worse? 

What if I die before the New Year bells ring? So many unanswered questions.

“Well, since there are no further questions, I will see you in January. Happy holidays!”

Yeah, right. No further questions coming out of my mouth, but so many of them popping up in my head.

“Happy Holidays to you too doctor. And maybe I will see you next year.”

With that being said, everyone walks out the office as if heading to a wake.

December 15, 2015 Todos os direitos reservados a Meire Marion
(I do not have lung cancer; just putting myself in some one's shoes)

 

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When you are 18…

  Nowadays teens give so much importance to turning 18 although they already do stuff that they must be 18 to do. But what does turning 18 mean?

  You still live at your parents’ house because it is much cheaper than living on your own. Even if you are off to the university somewhere away from home, you have to report to your parents because they are the ones who support you financially. They give you food, a rooftop over your head, washed and ironed clothes- what else does a person want?You still need to tell your parents where and with whom you are going to go out with because you live with them so you abide to their rules. Besides, the city is a dangerous place, it doesn´t hurt to.

  Drinking. Now there is something you can. I realize that some teens already do this at a much younger age, but the difference is that now you can do it without getting into trouble. You just need to remember that if the people you are hanging around with are not 18 yet and they cause or get into trouble, charges will be pressed against you; after all, you are the one who is 18.

  Driving. There is something else you can do; get your driver´s license. But until you do so, no driving for you. Some teens are lucky and they get a car for their 18^th birthday, while others have to wait until the family or he himself can afford to buy one.

  Sex. You can start your sexual life as soon as you feel you are ready for. If I may put my two cents in, share this desire with your parents so that they can get the right kind of protection for you and perhaps allow you to do it at home instead of in cheap places, which by the way you can go to because you are 18.

  Going to jail. Yes, this is something that 18-year-olds forget about. You can go to jail for things that you do or for things that the minors in your group do. If you break the law, you need to suffer the consequences. Here in Brazil, a minor goes to a correctional home when he is under 18. But as soon as he turns 18, it is the slammer.

  Choosing a career. Hold on now. Having to choose what you want to do for the rest of your life can cause some suffering. You are only 18. How are you supposed to know which career you want to work in? There are professionals that can help you by putting you through some tests. So you can resort to those. You can also always choose a major and give it a try. if it doesn´t work for you can always try something else later on.

  In the end you should be happy at any age. For each year there are discoveries and limitations, things that you can do and things that you are not allowed doing. Whatever it may be, make the most of the time that you have. Celebrate. Spend time with the ones you love. Stay off the social networks. Just enjoy yourself no matter what it is that you are doing.

  When you are 18, life is sweet.   

                                                       

March 14, 2016 (Based on my observations here in Brazil)Todos os direitos reservados a Meire Marion

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