When I was in high school there were some kids I looked up to

I thought if I could be like them I’d be cool

There were the surfer kids

Oh, those big beach houses where they lived

When I got older I realized beach houses cost money

And that the beach isn’t always sunny

I haven’t seen those kids since we graduated

Surfboards, bikes, and Hummers have all depreciated

In college I thought I wanted to be like the doctors and executives

I was surrounded by their children from the north

Debauchery and expletives

Surely that wasn’t it

Then my first big girl job was a disappointment

I’d get dressed up and commute on that freeway

Feeling anything but free

I felt sad at the thought of that brick building being my destiny

In all my meandering I became a professional

But I was nothing exceptional

My co-workers were jaded

At 27, it was a life far from what I anticipated

And now at 34 I walk the balance beam

Of all the people around, I’m not sure if there’s any I’ve found that I want to be

Except for one who lived a really long time ago

Someone I’ll spend my whole life trying to know

Maybe getting older is about lowering the bar

Realizing what people are

Transitory, flawed

But made wonderfully

Like a skilled painter’s masterpiece

I’m glad He called

In this life I’m like a leaf

But where does this all lead

Surfers, school friends, college kids, executives

All precious

I look forward to when we’re all free