I have to admit, that due to my prognosis I am sort of off the hook for being personally responsible. I mean I try with what little I can comprehend of the meaning, but I definitely avoid the truth when Dad asks me if I "accidentally" pooped my pants. I usually just lie that I didn't to avoid all of Dads facial gyrations and complaining when he cleans me up and throws away another formerly fresh pair of Star Wars underwear. Oh well, I am what I am. But there's no excuse for teens like Big Bro and Big Sis. There are way too many teenagers who think that being responsible is something for later on in life when they are adults. Too much alcohol, too many drugs, taking advantage of others, cheating, bullying, not looking out for one another or being honest with people. The list goes on and on. Big Bro was home from college for the first time last weekend and told me all kinds of stories about people he's helped and things he's witnessed where personal responsibility was lacking. He never gives names to protect his friends which is admirable even though mom and dad pry. (Dad way more than mom) The encouraging thing, is that Big Bro and some of his close friends at college appear to be very responsible and look out for their peers which is reassuring. Being responsible isn't always the coolest course of action nor is it usually the easiest which makes it that much harder when you are on your own at school with no guide book other than your own moral compass and that of your friends. So, thanks to all of the responsible young adults who pick up the slack for the irresponsible, and hopefully they rub off on some of their friends who live a little dangerously, and hopefully they have each other's back when they may veer off course in a moment of stupidity. I know Big Bro's not a choir boy, but I know he's safe and I trust him to be smart and look out for people he cares for and even those he doesn't. College sounds like a fun place but also a dangerous one if you are an idiot. I'm glad that all of the freshman I know who started college this year are responsible young adults which I know makes moms and dads of freshman everywhere sleep a little better at night. They should be proud that their kids will be even more responsible adults. Unfortunately, there are still too many irresponsible adults out there too, but that is probably a whole separate blog post...Please share this post with all of your college friends and their parents.
