Role Reversal

 

Role Reversal

 

The first time I felt like a grown up was when the roles of age reversed. Not a specific time, but whenever I have to care for someone older than me, that responsibility makes me feel like I have grown up. About five years ago my grandpa moved into our house. Before this I always looked up to old people as independent, and fully able to do everything by themselves. This view quickly changed. I would help him cook food, find his phone, and other small tasks. Even though they were not significant tasks, it made me feel more responsible. Another time when roles were reversed was when my grandmother passed. Even though I was deeply saddened, sometimes I had to comfort my mom when she was feeling down. This role reversal is not always permanent, so I don’t stay an “adult” in these situations forever. The day of my grandma’s funeral, walking away from the grave, I went into my grandpa’s arms and sobbed, reminding me that I don’t always have to comfort others, they can sometimes comfort me.