Do I really want to be Forever Young?

Hi FosterClub,

I was listening to the new song by Jay-Z called "Forever Young" today and it really spoke to me on many levels.

First off, I really like the chorus line which is actually from an older song by Alphaville. It is an inspirational song and the images in Jay-Z's video are great. The words really made me think about how time goes by so fast and where I am going in my life.

Sometimes I wish I could go back to when I was younger when life was different, I had less responsibility and school was easy and fun! But when I think again, my childhood was stolen from me when I entered foster care and again when I got adopted. So maybe I wish that I could have my childhood back, where I shouldn't have had to worry about my younger siblings, where I shouldn't have had to always be on the alert of my adoptive mom when she might go crazy on me, and where I shouldn't have had to age out of foster care without a permanent family. But you can't erase the past and it definitely made me who I am today: a mature, strong and intelligent young woman who deserves to be loved and will go far in life.

I don't think I want to stay young forever because I know only with age comes wisdom with more experiences and I am extremely excited for my future! I am going to a prestigious graduate school to earn my degree in Social Work so I can continue making change for my brothers and sisters in the system. I am in a strong, loving, committed relationship and it will only get better. I have amazing friends who have my back and make me laugh. And I have finally found my perfect permanent family with my former foster parents and I couldn't be happier.

So I guess what I'm trying to say is that even though I may get scared of change or the unknown, the future is brighter than hitting rewind and going back to my childhood. I wouldn't change my past even if I could because I have been fortunate enough to survive and live through it and that just makes me stronger. I have perspective and a story, which is extremely valuable.

At least I can stay forever young in my heart...