WHEN GROWING-UP BECOMES SCARY

“Mama, I don’t want to grow up!”

After the day’s work, or shall I say going ‘round our neighborhood playing, Mark’s finally settled on our six-year old couch.

He talks about his wonderful experience he and his buddy, “the amazing spider-buddy,” has gone through. Though my interest was on the early evening television show, I had to shift my attention to my overwhelmed explorer. His eyes glow with enthusiasm and teeming innocence steams through his appearance.

Then, he kept quiet.

I turned my attention back to the television. He did too, but his mind isn’t.

He then said, “Mama, I don’t want to grow up.!”

I felt a sudden jolt from whence I sat. I was concerned. “But why, Marky?”

“I don’t wanna grow old like Lolo. I don’t wanna DIE. Mahadlok ko mamatay. (I’m scared of DEATH.)”

I know if I am going to tell him that Death is a natural phenomenon, he wouldn’t understand. I told him we will all die and the least we could do is take care of our health so that death won’t come too soon.

This must have been the result of his daily dose of “How are you feelin’ Lolo?”, “Are you okay, Lolo?” and all those words to make sure his grandfather’s feeling alright.

This must have been the effect of his daily routine, making sure his grandpa’s taken his medicine.

Here I thought he said those words because he so loves his childhood he doesn't want to become an adult.