Stop Growing!

Everyone feels the need to please. Doesn't everyone want to impress their peers? The urge is multiplied when the person you want to please is a role model. The most common role models are celebrities, older siblings, and sometimes parents. Many teenagers would probably role their eyes at the very idea of one day wanting to be just like their parents, but- in truth- most people grow up with many of their parents' qualities whether they like it or not. Either way, Jean Louise Finch (Scout)- in her Maycomb, Alabama world in the book To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee- is a girl who does not fit in with her neighbors and lives by her father's different principles. Her brother Jem has been her role model for a good deal of her life.

At one point, Atticus- Scout's father- was talking to a family member. He tells his brother or sister that Scout will soon be "better" since Jem has been maturing and that she usually follows his lead. Scout and Jem's relationship has always been one of mutual trust. Once Jem turns twelve- though- he has become like any other teenaged boy. He prefers sports. He thinks he can do whatever he pleases. He wants to be left alone. Most of all, isn't it sad when an oldest sibling pushes his younger sibling(s) away?

All of a sudden, Scout is being pushed away. Perhaps it is natural, but doesn't everyone feel upset or disappointed when someone they look up to so much pushes them away? Everyone works hard to win respect. Most of all, isn't it sad when you care so much for someone and they no longer show their affection? Scout and Jem have had so much fun together, making mischief. Does sibling love mean nothing?

Perhaps I have not reached my point quite yet, but doesn't growing up hurt? Every day, I look at my siblings- my brother Josh and my sister Jennah. Fine, maybe they are not older than me. Maybe my sister really is five and my brother followed me into the world only a year later. It does not matter: They both affect my life. Sometimes good; sometimes bad, but still I love them no matter how weird they are. Perhaps they are troublesome and sometimes, my wish is to yell at them to be quiet in a not-so-great way, but it bothers me to know that they are growing up. Momentarily, my only wish is to see my little sister not wipe off my kisses and not give me hugs like the social butterflies at school do. Trust me, social butterfly hugs are not sincere and yes, they do not kiss me either. Anyway, it hurts to see Jennah just shrug it all off and take it for granted. I know she has little boys at school to kiss too and many other people who will gladly offer her a hug. She, too, is a social butterfly after all, but I just cannot help but wonder if "my little sunshine" is pulling away from me. In this way, I am learning to understand my mom's position of watching my brother start to like girls, watching her little girl grow rapidly, and her eldest suffer through social issues. I cannot help but echo in my head and in my heart her words for not only myself and my siblings but for the whole world with a smile: Didn't I tell you to stop growing?