“Everybody makes their own fun. If you don’t make it yourself, it isn’t fun. It’s entertainment.”
~ David Mamet, State and Main
• • •
I WAS DRIVING BY A HIGH SCHOOL when I noticed that the kid in the car that had just pulled out in front of me, while obeying all appropriate rules of the road, had something written on his back window. So when we got to a stoplight, I made sure that I was behind the car to see what it said.
It said: “Honk. I’m a Senior.”
I didn’t honk. My first thought was that it seemed a tad premature to ask for external validation before you actually accomplish something like– oh, I don’t know— graduate from high school. Earn a college degree or two. Get a job. Buy a house. Fund your 401K.
• • •
BUT THEN AS I DROVE ALONG I had an unexpected change of heart when I realized what an old fogey I’d become. I’m sure that when I was a kid in high school I would have thought that a message like the one on the car was clever + fun.
And it was harmless.
Of course by the time that I came to this conclusion, the kid in the car had turned onto a different road, so my opportunity to honk at him was gone. But I have to thank him for reminding me that everybody needs a bit of moral support from time-to-time, and that asking for it is a good way to make your own fun.
THE SPECTACLED BEAN 
I agree. Good call out, Ms. Bean. That’s why I am always ready with the complements for you, which you of course make easy for me to make because of all of the great things you do.
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Zen-Den, you’re in a sweet mood this morning. Thanks for the compliment.
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If he holds onto the sticker, he can use it again when he’s 65. 😉
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Carrie, what a practical person you are! Good one.
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Good for you Ally Bean! It’s so true that we kind of forget what it was like to be younger and have different purposes in life than we do now. I feel that the kids today don’t really know how to have fun like we did. They are so involved in technology and wanting to grow up so fast. But then again, every generation grows up differently. I guess we just need to support the young people as best we can. After all, they are the ones that will be taking care of us in our old age!
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Beth, yep. You said it. Best keep this youngsters happy, if we are to have any comfort in our old age [said in my best crotchety old lady voice].
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I think i’ll put honk! You’re Alive! On my window and see what happens…..
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Andra, brilliant idea! I bet that you’d get more strange looks than actual car honks. Might be worth it.
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I like this idea too! I’d honk for you–with one of those old fashioned a-ooh-ga horns!
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Maria, perfect! You do that.
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You’ll be ready next time! One of my nieces is a senior in HS this year and she is loving it!
HONK if you’re happy!
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nrhatch, you’re right. I will be ready to join in the fun next time. I don’t know why the message struck me like it did at first, but the heart won out… if only a little too late!
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When I first read it, I thought he had his grandmother’s car. Being a senior in high school was cool. I vaguely remember it but there were no discounts.
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kate, you make a valid point: senior discounts are a good thing! Of course, being a high school senior might be a better thing… but I don’t know. I like saving money.
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Let’s see…saving money or being young…I’ll take young any day!
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LOL. I also thought he was going to be over 65. Sometimes it helps to have a little support. Even at 17.
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Kourtney, the whole experience was funny, but for some reason it didn’t strike me that way at first. But I did come around… eventually.
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Yep, you never know what kind of struggles and issues preceded him getting to be a senior, thus his shout out to himself because he’s (hopefully!) in his last year of high school. 🙂
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Margaret, I agree. That sentiment did occur to me as I drove along and realized what a curmudgeon I was becoming! I wish only the best for this kid, who was driving like a perfect adult– and only a small pat on the back.
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I honk at seniors all the time… when they pull out in front of me, drive 20 mph under the speed limit, leave their left blinker on….
Oh wait, you were talking about a high school kid, weren’t you? 😉
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evilsquirrel13, you have a great point. Honking at the white hairs is something we all have to do at times. But why I didn’t immediately honk at this kid, I dunno. Lost sight of the whimsy of life, I guess.
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