Coming of Age

Drake Richmond

October 8, 2015

Coming of Age

        To this day I can remember every morning my dad kissing me and my brother on our foreheads, hugging our mom, and buttering his burnt piece of toast before he left home. He would say to us, “See y’all when I get home,” and I would ask my mom, “Where does dad go every morning?” and I vividly remember her looking into my eyes and saying to me, “He is going to work to provide for us, so we can have a good life, son. Always remember you can get whatever you desire but you have to work for it.” At that moment, I realized the importance of having a job, and I have always abided by those words. An accomplishment that marked my transition from childhood to adulthood within my family is when I got my first job because it taught me how to be independent, it gave me a strong sense of responsibility, and it taught me the value of a dollar. Getting a job was important to me because with that I became significantly more mature which is indicative of one’s transition from childhood to adulthood.

        When I received my very first check that was $162.42, I was so elated! Seeing my name endorsed on the check and knowing that I had worked for every cent was very self-satisfying. Becoming self-reliant is vital as one transitions from childhood to adulthood. When I showed my mom my check, I recall her saying to me in a sarcastic tone yet with a loving smile, “Well now that you’re making your own money, your father and I are officially done giving you a weekly allowance.”  Although, I was upset that I would no longer get an allowance, I knew that making my own money was a part of transitioning from childhood to adulthood and gaining that independence that every teenager yearns for.

Attaining more responsibilities is inevitable as one grows into adulthood. When I started working, I was fortunate enough to buy a car with the help of my parents. Immediately before my dad signed his name on the dotted line, he looked at me with his face consumed with concern and said, “Son, a car is a big responsibility. Are you sure you can handle it?” I knew having a car was a huge responsibility, but I replied to him, “Yes dad. I am growing up, and having more responsibilities is a part of that process.” After this reassurance, his face instantly changed from an apprehensive frown to a confident smile. When one receives more responsibilities, he also becomes more mature which will make the transition from childhood to adulthood much easier.