Article February 18, 1980 Issue

Since nobody told me

DARREN NELSON

I used to think "growing up" meant learning how to do things the way other people expected you to. And not minding it. Or it meant finally knowing all the answers. Parents seem more patient when you're little, and they generally say what they mean. They say, "Close the door, don't slam it," and you understand what they want. They remind you if you forget and leave something wet on the furniture. Sometimes they laugh about it. Very important things like care in crossing streets, rules for swimming, coming when they call, parents make sure you never forget; at least, my folks did.

I think it helped when at home and at Sunday School we talked about the beatitude Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth" ^{Matt. 5:5;} and the one about pure in heart being able to see God.^{See v. 8;} Since I wanted to please adults, and they told me how to do things the right way, everything went pretty well.

That's when I was little.

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