The 12 Year Version of myself vs. who I am today

A Facebook friend of mine made a post today that said, "12 year old me would think I’m so cool — and to me, that’s an achievement."

 That status stopped me right in my tracks and sent me down a long trail of reminiscing. I am beyond thankful for the adults that impacted my childhood in a positive manner. I don't where I would be without them quite honestly.....

But would the twelve year old Shenequa look up or even like the adult version of myself? The more I thought about it, the more I considered how the children around me treat me now.

 For the most part, children are always elated to see me and it makes me feel overjoyed. It doesn't matter how bad of a day I may be having; a child's hug is the best feeling in the world!  The fact of the matter is, children are innocent and their love and affection is pure and innocent as well.  

But thinking back, when I was growing up, I didn't trust many adults. As a matter of fact; I don't trust many people today. On the other hand, the people that I was excited to see then, I am still excited to see now. My grandmother, my TT Erma, my aunt Nancy, my TT Kat (big Red),  my Uncle Robert, a few older people in Hamburg, Fountain Hill, etc. 

 I sat in silence after reading my friends status and I now know why those people listed above, made my smile so BIG growing up. It had nothing to do with what they could or couldn't afford to buy for me.

They aren't and never have been perfect.  It was the LOVE that they gave me. It was the way they made me FEEL like they were excited to see me. Children feel things and they always know when you're being honest; I surely knew when I was younger. 

 The adults that I needed as a kid listened to me, they made me feel safe, they weren't too busy to play a game with me or listen to some wild story that I had gotten from a book. 

All kids really want is love, attention, a safe clean dry space to call home, affection and adults that they can trust! I had a good time traveling down memory lane this afternoon. I thank God for the angels that he placed in my life along my childhood. My journey was far from perfect but it was incredible in it's own way.

As Maya Angelou once said, "I wouldn't take nothing for my journey."

Last but not least, I do think the 12 year old version of myself would absolutely love who I am today, flaws and all! :)  It feels pretty good to know that I am who I needed when I was younger. 

Thank you Mark Coley for posting that status today. :)