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Never List

J's college freshman year is well behind her but this funny list of things a freshman would never say on their weekly call home made me chuckle. Towards the end of her college years, J did ask "How are you?" Post college she wants to know in greater depth what is going on in my life. But back then it was impossible to imagine. 

The self-absorption of a child who has recently turned adult can be range from absurd, irritating and hurtful but in reality it is just them trying to become their own person, learn who they are and what they are meant to do with their life. Once some of the goals start to trend green, they have more capacity for parents, family and the like. I loved this particular one from the list 

 “I already bought my airline ticket home, because I know prices go up if you wait until the last minute.”

I have yet to see that come to pass with J. The travel plans are up in the air till the very end and suddenly I will have flight details by text. I am too overjoyed to know I will see her soon to worry about anything else. 

Earlier I had read this other story about how post-pandemic a lot of young people are experiencing persistent cognitive fog. That would seriously interfere with a person's desire to think for themselves and become independent. 


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