Here is a real-life exchange between my daughter “A”
and me last year before she graduated from college. I was expecting her to
apply to internships and jobs, she was planning a cruise with her friends after
graduation (paying from her savings). I said no, because I wanted her to start
working and earn her own money once she was done studying. “A” responded with
this email:
I let C know I applied but they keep the position
open till May 4th so I guess I will hear then? Plus, that internship and also
the discovery one (so I'm guessing many others) start June 18th which is after
the cruise and I'm not gonna get drunk and fall over the railing. Just cuz you
don't like cruises, you can't keep everyone else from going on one, plus when I
get an internship and a job my life is basically over and I won't be able to
travel or do anything and that's what people always say to go on crazy
adventures and travel when you’re in your twenties when you’re young and have
time. And I'm not being overly dramatic; it's proven science that every year
you sit in a tiny cubicle punching numbers and listen to your boring boss talk
about boring numbers, mergers, and other crap, more and more of your soul dies
till one day you lose your mind and hang yourself from your shower curtain...suicide
in adults is increasing because people start hating their routine lives of
going to the same boring job everyday coming home to their spouse of 30 plus
years and sit in silence with the TV on in the background because they ran out
of things to talk about 20 years ago and are only staying together because
divorce is expensive and neither has anything the other wants half of anyways.
Seriously look at pictures of adults...real adults not models, look how their
smiles never reach their eyes, how their eyes are dead inside. Then look at
pictures of kids how their eyes shine bright with hopes and dreams and are so
full of life. If the eyes are really windows to the soul then looking at the
eyes of adults show how dead inside they are, how dead inside we will all
become sooner or later. Our imminent death reaches us many years before our
bodies actually crap out on us. You see, we die three times: 1 when the soul
already gives up and leaves us, 2 when our bodies shut down forever and 3 when
the last living person on earth says our name for the last time because we all
are insignificant and we will all be forgotten eventually so what is the point?
You see we all learn in college about the life that awaits us after, how hell
is not a place where bad souls go when they die, it is right here on earth
called corporate America and you see why we really never want to graduate.
Hence, please let me go on this cruise before death number 1 becomes real. “A”
Mom’s response: Where on earth did you hear that
crap?! We just had a group discussion in the hallway debating your argument. My
co-workers and even the boss told me to let you go. You should be a lawyer. But
you will have to tell Dad when you come home. Mom
Okay cool see ya tomorrow! Thanks :) “A”
(Mom) A few hours later:
I thought about your argument some more: First of all, children’s eyes shine
bright with hopes and dreams because their bills are still paid for by adults,
as were yours up to now. Second, I am deliriously happy with my life, my job,
my hobbies and even chores because I do all the things I am passionate about,
so my smiles do reach my eyes. Life is not over after you graduate and not all
adults feel dead in their jobs. I am thrilled when I wake up in the mornings
and can’t wait to start the day. I take classes that challenge and excite me, I
work with amazing people, I indulge in my passions - reading, writing, walking,
coffee, chocolate - and I expect good news and miracles every day. My life
rocks!!!
I haven’t told Dad yet, you can do that when you
come home.
Now get busy and keep applying, you will see that
earning your own money and paying your bills is awesome and liberating!! Mom
(I am happy to add that the cruise went well, “A”
didn’t fall overboard, and afterward landed a good internship in Cambridge,
England for six months from which she will be returning next week.
