Growing up

In KTDARPG we deal with life, youth & the challenges of growing up while creating a way of life from scratch. Without the guidance of adults & the civilized institutions we've come to depend on, that's not an easy prospect. Most especially not easy when you have a Game Master who demands at least a semblance of reality from players who are struggling with unfamiliar territory.

Reality? Whose reality? And who decides?

There's no real answer to any of those questions, but I found the following text on another blog. It not only spoke to my heart, it seemed to speak to the characters that we're trying hard to establish in a game that none of us has ever had to play for real. Ah, well...I think you'll see what I mean.

After a while you learn the subtle difference

between holding a hand & chaining a soul.

You learn that "love" doesn't mean "leaning"

and "company" doesn't mean "security."

You begin to learn that kisses aren't contracts,

presents aren't promises. You begin to accept

your defeats with your head held up, eyes open--

with the grace of an adult, not the grief of a child.

You learn to build all your roads on today

because tomorrow's ground is too uncertain for plans,

& futures have a way of falling down in mid-flight.

After a while you learn that even sunshine burns

if you get too much. So you plant your own garden

& decorate your own soul instead of waiting

for someone to bring you flowers.

You learn that you really can endure,

you really are strong, you really do have worth.

And you learn and learn...

with every goodbye, you learn.

Here's to all of us who continue to learn. --Chyna

Photo source: Webshots