Turning 21

As I turn 21 in 12 days, I feel a whole lot different from the way I assumed I would. From a child to a teenager, I had been impatiently awaiting the day I turned 21, having the dream that the man of my dreams would come into my life, sweep me off my feet and propose to me with a diamond ring. I assumed that life after 21 was nothing but total freedom and a happy ever after like the fairy tales...But now, as I come closer to the day I turn 21, I realise it's not how I always thought it would be. Day by day, I realise there are so much more responsibilities and decisions I will have to make on my own that could change my life forever. However, in my 21 years, I've learnt a lot from life. I've learnt to cherish every pleasant moment and face the challeges that confronted me with a brave heart and learnt from every step I have taken since I was a child. I wouldn't say my childhood was the best any child would have had, nor would I say it's the worst compared to any other child. Coz I still remember how much my brothers had bullied me and how much I hated my life as a child because I was the youngest and the weaker one..but as I grew I realised that back then, all myy brothers did was they made me a stronger person in the world. I hated being the only girl with no sister. I begged for a sister so I would have a friend..and again later realised that being the only girl, I got all the attention and luxury my brothers didn't have. When I turned 16, I felt like a young adult..a real teenager. These are the years that I learnt about the world. I saw people's true colours and realised that there are very different types of people in life: good, bad, bad and ugly. People that could be mean and people that could be heartless even though he or she was a friend. I learnt that what people say is not always what they mean and I realise that every step taken has to be taken very carefully as you will never have a clue when you fall and you'd be surprised that the cause of your fall could be caused by a dear friend. These were the years I learnt the meaning of true friendship and love and that life can only be beautiful if you want it to be. I realise that no one can make you cry unless you let them. I realised that I am special and that not many have a unique quality in me. I know my dreams can come true if I want them to, and nobody can stop me but myself. So as I turn 21, I am sure to miss my past ..but I never wish I could turn back time coz if I did, I may not be the person I am today, nor have the friends and love I have. But I will never forget my past, as it plays a massive role in every step I take. I am grateful to God for each incident and experience I have gone through in the past and pray to God to guide me even more in each step I take and in each decision I make after this. By Kapila Khindriya