boy with a beaded necklace

When I was home in Boston for the holidays I found this necklace sitting in a ceramic bowl I made for my mother for Valentine's Day or something when I was like 12. When I was in middle school, I used to think this necklace was the "flyest" accessory imaginable. Whenever there was some kind of big event (like a dance or a party or one of those "winter festival" things), I would always be sure to "rock" this necklace (after applying a squirt, or seven, of Abercrombie "Fierce" cologne).

I put on the necklace last week when I found it and, sure, it was funny in the obvious "look at this idiotic thing I used to think was super cool" way. But, after providing that initial giggle, it struck me more profoundly as a reminder that probably everything I think is awesome now - the clothes, the slang, the neckwear - will seem utterly, laughably lame in ten or fifteen years time.

I actually found that thought sort of comforting though, freeing even. There's really no reason to take anything in our lives too seriously: in ten years, you'll come across it in a ceramic bowl and thank god you're not as young as you used to be.