True Independence Is Never Reached

This week in class, one topic we discussed was Independence, meaning, when do we truly become adults? Today, my sister and I walked into our painting class, only to realize that there was a substitute. She was an older woman, but I recognized her from previous classes. She started the video we were going to watch and I'm not sure why, but she came over to Sarah and I and started asking us about our college plans and just small talk. Then she went to her desk and grabbed a ziploc bag out of her purse and came back. She started telling us about her children and grandchildren and pulled out pictures from the ziploc bag. She gave us advice on college. saying that when we get to our school, it will be the first time we will experience independence and there is a greater importance in making the right decisions. She even gave us advice on marriage saying that it is okay to get married in your late thirties (that is what her daughter did) and just don't meet a boy the first week of school and lock in on him, not opening up to meeting any one else. She eventually went into telling us that her husband passed away in November and her eyes started to tear as she explained how her home is quiet and it has been difficult. She also told us about a conversation she had over the phone with her granddaughter as well. And how she really misses all of her kids since they live out west. Reflecting on all she said, I really started to think about what it means to be an adult. As seniors, we're all looking forward to going to college and gain independence, but we truly won't be on our own. We still will depend on our parents to pay our tuition and our friends for companionship and support. After college we will get married and that seems like a big step into independence, but we will still all be dependent on our spouse for some things. I saw this in my substitute, she has lived a fulfilling life and has been an adult for a long time, but since her husband passed away, there is a void because, a marriage is not an individual thing, it is a partnership. Since her husband passed, she has gained a greater dependence for her children, she longs for their companionship. She continually mentioned how much she loved them and how proud she was. They give her happiness. No matter how old we are or how far into adulthood we reach, true independence in never reached, but it is also never necessary. It was such a blessing to meet this women today!