My aunt always told me I am an “old soul.” All of my elder family members told me I’m “very mature for my age.” Although I don’t disagree with the fact that I’m mature, I’ve become accustomed to hearing that maturity comes with age. I know that this is far from the truth, and I’m proof of it.
Maturity comes with experience, regardless of how old someone is. It’s the circumstances people have been put in and the issues they’ve tackled that build their character.
I’ve lived with my grandparents my entire life. I’m the oldest sibling; I was practically born with the gene of taking care of others. I’ve never been bothered by the love I have for taking care of others, it’s what makes me who I am, but it’s also the very thing that has caused me to mature.
I was 6 years old when my grandma had life-threatening injuries due to a car accident. A 6-year-old helping her grandma shower and live a normal life causes someone to mature. A 6-year-old changing her baby sister’s diapers while her mom takes care of her bed-resting grandma causes someone to mature.
I was 13 years old when my grandpa got sick. A 13-year-old making phone calls to her family telling them that someone they love deeply is gone is what causes someone to mature. A 13-year-old holding a phone over her grandpa’s dead body so their long distance family can be a part of the funeral is exactly what causes someone to mature.
My grandma has been my best friend for as long as I can remember. She raised me alongside my parents, but when my grandpa died, her ability to take care of herself wasn’t the same. As a 13-year-old, I had to navigate how to balance school, extracurriculars, friends, family and taking care of my grandma. She spent her life taking care of others and herself; she taught me everything I needed to know to help others, but there came a time when she became one of the people who needed that extra help.
Sometimes, it’s as simple as opening a jar she can’t open; sometimes, it’s staying up all night when she’s not feeling well to keep an eye on her. I spent time perfecting the way I help my grandparents get up; I listen to what they need and how they need me to deliver it. I may be a lot younger, but both of my grandparents have preferred my hand holding them up rather than any other adult.
It’s the experiences and circumstances of my life that made me mature and give me the ability to put my all into taking care of others, not how old I am. Age doesn’t automatically result in a sense of maturity or immaturity. I may be 18 years old, but I’ve dealt with enough grief for some people’s lifetime. I may only be 18 years old, but I’ve always been an “old soul.”