Coming of Age.

Roll your eyes if you must,

but I just read Anne of Green Gables.

My sister and I have never liked

"coming-of-age stories,"

mostly because that means that the main character

doesn't fall in love at the end.

But this book is everything good about growing up.

Working hard

and getting smarter.

Getting prettier.

Getting better at things,

and not making those mistakes you used to.

Realizing that people can love you.

Quieting down,

even though the things you have to say

mean a little bit more now.

Looking back

and seeing how far you've come.

...

Coming of age stories are actually the best.

Maybe you have to have come of age

to appreciate them.