"

The days of wonder and delight

Are fading in the rearview mirror

The world is not as bright

As it once appeared to be

The innocence of childhood

Is lost in the maze of growing up

The simple joys of playing good

Are replaced by shades of gray

The dreams of flying to the stars

Are grounded by the weight of reality

The magical embar

Is dimmed by the glare of facts

The childhood innocence is gone

But not forgotten in the heart

"

It's crazy how much we change throughout our lives. How many people we are. How many people we become. A child who was afraid of their parents to an adolescent who realized their parents were once children who had their own lives before us. A teenager, practically afraid to touch a boy, to an adult who tongue kisses and does other things with boys. A person we never thought we would ever be, to staring at the mirror realizing you are that person. We shapeshift so many times throughout our lives without thinking about it. It's crazy.

I used to think about my younger self wondering if she would be proud of the things I've done and accomplished, but it's useless thoughts. She isn't me anymore. She didn't live the experiences I have. She doesn't have the insight I have. She doesn't know the world like I do. And that's the beauty of life. We all change in this circle of life and we will continue to change until we are gone.

I accept these changes now.

This book is not intended to promote drug consumption or opioid abuse.