At what age does one become a grown-up?

[saltpoint]

Quick summary:

In the recent heavy storms my sister's house was socked in -- driveway, walkway, etc. -- with over a foot of snow.

She, her two young kids, and her husband all were sick with the flu. Her husband was nearly recovered, but still not well.

In the morning after the bulk of the storm my sister looked out the window to find the drive and walk completely shoveled. Her husband could now easily make it out to get medicine and groceries.

Realizing the across-the-street neighbors' 12-year old did the shovelling, my sister called his mother to thank her for asking him to help when the help was most needed.

His mother didn't know anyone had been sick and didn't know her son had shoveled the drive and walk. He had simply shoveled it of his own volition and intent without adult prompting.

[Maddy McCall]

1. Grow up? Who wants to grow up?

Actually, that was a very nice thing that the boy did. Wish I had a neighbor like him. :-)

[saltpoint]

3. Hi, Maddy. Nice to see you again.

Hope all's well your way.

[Maddy McCall]

18. Aces and eights.

Everything's great. :-) :hi:

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

2. On the other hand

we all fight daily with "adults" who can't come close to that moment of selflessness.

That young man has a bright future. Count on it.

[saltpoint]

4. Agreed. I would not have been where he is now --

-- when I was 12.

[Not_Giving_Up]

5. Some never do

Some grow up rather quickly.

What a sweet little boy!

[saltpoint]

6. Hi, Not Giving Up.

thanks for your post & I sure like your avatar.

[Not_Giving_Up]

8. Thanks!

Living in Texas, I know many of them!

:hi:

[saltpoint]

10. : )

[Bouncy Ball]

7. Eh, he was bored.

And trying to store up some good karma.

Just kidding.

But to answer your question, the answer is 30. At least that was the case for me.

[saltpoint]

11. Well, you beat me, that's for sure.

I'm still workin' on it.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

9. No doubt he still has growing up to do, but

what a kind and thoughtful thing to do! I hope he can maintain his consideration of others through his teens. It's tough when the hormones start wailing, and so many of Life's decisions demand full knowledge of self, and thus, self-centeredness.

[saltpoint]

12. My sister was stupefied at first, but she tells me --

-- that she thinks this guy will keep his bearings.

I was thinking that maybe we should tell Iraqi citizens that once in a while, there are Americans like this and that not all of us want to bomb their asses into oblivion.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

20. I hope she's right...

Iraqi citizens don't need to be told about people like this...They need to be touched by people like this.

I like to imagine that in some cases, they are. But "some" isn't "enough" right now.

[Lex]

13. You are grown up when

.
you no longer look to your parents to pay for anything at all nor provide you with living quarters.

IMHO.

That 12 year old kid has a bright future! He'll be a good Dem one day--looking out for his fellow man, and not just shoveling his driveway and saying 'screw you' to everyone else.

[saltpoint]

15. Hi, Lex.

I don't know about the 12-year old, but my sister says his mom and dad are both Democrats.

Hot dog.

[Lex]

17. Yes, indeed!

He's obviously not being raised in a house where the parents constantly harp about how everyone else is lazy and stupid and trying to get at their money (like many Republican kids are being raised).

Instead, he's probably heard about how we all have to help out each other and provide good works to our neighbors, esp. those having a rough time. Think global, act local--that sort of thing.

Good for the parents AND the kid!

[saltpoint]

19. Lex, your second paragraph there rolls its sleeves up --

-- and gets to work.

Really nice.

[elperromagico]

14. 75.

:D

[saltpoint]

16. 75? Well, there may be some hope for me yet.