Growing up happened in small, ordinary steps that

Growing up happened in small, ordinary steps that only made sense later. Childhood felt long and predictable, filled with routines, school days, and familiar faces, until responsibility slowly began to replace comfort. We learned that decisions mattered, that people changed, and that some things wouldn’t stay the same no matter how much we wanted them to. Along the way, we kept a few memories that shaped us—lessons from mistakes, moments of pride, and the voices that encouraged us. Looking back, growing up wasn’t about a single turning point, but about gradually becoming someone who could handle what came next.