Leap of Faith

As junior year is ending and college is getting closer and closer I have started to realize that I am going to have to start doing many things on my own. Once I leave I will have to get a job, find an apartment, get a car, keep up with school work, maintain my social life etc. Sadly we can't exactly prepare yourself for the big step of adulthood and finally taking the leap of faith and leaving our parents. Of course some people can handle it better than others, and some people leave earlier than others. Although, sometimes it can be a bit of a shock for many of us and we might not be able to keep ourselves together and do what we need to do. In Jasmine, one of the characters Darrel is described as "looking lost these days, like a little boy" (7). He has just gotten the major responsibility of taking control of his fathers farm after he had passed away and hasn't been able to handle it well. Granted I was talking about going to college and taking the leap of faith, which is something you can prepare for. However, having a parent pass away and out of no where not be there any more is definitely something that no one can prepare themselves for. I have known a few people in my life which parents that are no longer here and some have taken everything well and moved on with their lives, and some have completely shut down and haven't been able to put themselves back together. It is hard to be on your own no matter what your age. I know people who are 16 who can take better care of themselves than some 30 year old's, it all depends on your past and the ability you have to make the best out of the situation you are put into and do what you can. It is also hard sometimes to keep your head on straight when they are people constantly pointing out your mistakes and bringing you down rather than encouraging you and helping you out.  During a conversation between Darrel and Bud "Bud almost snapped Darrel's head off" (11). He was judging the little things that he was doing and was not helping the young boy figure everything out with the 100 acres of land he suddenly has and has to take care of. The next time the main character sees Darrel his "eyes are red and unfocused and he unsteady on his feet" (22). He had been drinking to ease his thoughts about the situation he has been forced into "since his father died he's had not time for fun. No dates, no movies, not vacation weekends (23). Darrel has lost some years of his youth and is goig through a rough patch and because he is not getting the support he needs from someone like Bud who he seems to look up to, he doesn't know how to handle his new situation and has started going down the wrong path. My only hope for myself and other people that are freshman in college will have the support that they need and will be able to stir themselves on the right path and stray away from the rocky roads many people have driven themselves onto without even knowing it.