Experience

I remember asking my Dad, on a day long ago when he was young and I was younger, if a day would come when I could make my own decisions and do more of what I wanted to do. He took a deep breath, paused and then said, "Yes TD, that day will come, it will come with experience." He started to say more but stopped, smiled, patted me on the shoulder and walked away. It sounded simple enough to me as I began that day my quest for experience. Now, with more miles under my belt than distance traveled, I realize the things my Dad didn't say about experience...he never mentioned grief, sorrow, pain, resistance, betrayal or being forsaken, and I am stronger and hopefully better because of it.