too many layers

"A grownup is a child with layers on." ~Woody Harrelson

Perhaps it's because it's summer.  Perhaps it's because it's the time of year I enjoy relaxing in the sun with a margarita in hand.  Perhaps it's because I don't have to be grown up when I'm not wearing my "teacher hat."  Perhaps it's the people I choose to hang around lately.  Perhaps, it's how I spend my time.  Whichever of the "perhapses," the fact is - I have been feeling a little less grown up lately.  I have been asking myself, What is a grown up anyway?  As I sat with a table of adults last night, each of us enjoying conversation, laughter and obnoxiousness, the answer was obvious:  Nobody.  Nobody is a grownup. 

My grandfather had a great bit of advice, "You're not grown up until you've learned everything there is to know.  So, I guess I won't be until I'm dead."  He's right, you know, my grandfather.  What wise words.  Although I'm sure he believed some of us are a bit more grown up than others.  There may be levels of adulthood.  "May" is the wrong word, I should have used "are."  There are levels of adulthood.  But, it begs a new question:  At which level am I? and Is there a stopping point?  As I write you tonight, dear Void, I do not have the answer.  I think perhaps, am somewhere in between.

Levels or layers, whichever you chose to call them, Woody was right when he said what he said about grownups.  Some of us just have more layers covering our inner child.  However, it makes me wonder:  How many layers are too many?  What if we keep layering on and layering on until the bottom layers begin to suffocate the child beneath?  The sparkle of mischief.  The gallons of glimmering joy.  The speck of overwhelming optimism.  Most importantly, the priceless sound of laughter.  What a sad place the world would be without the laughter of children!

I implore you today, Void.  Don't take yourself too seriously.  Seriousness is the first step to a layer too thick.  The world is already a serious place.  Tragedy, heartbreak, war, politics, work, money, and even the weather...all subjects too serious for your fragile first layer.  Keep your child inside alive.  Learn new things.  Have fun everyday.  Dance in the rain.  Laugh lots.  Smile often.  Rejoice in the small things.  Take each trouble with a grain of salt.  Be alive!  Pray continually.  Throw off your layers once in awhile.  The world needs kids, like you and I.  Perhaps, we'll all begin to feel more like ourselves again.