The BEST! of me.

In the physical realm, our bodies replace much of themselves every 7 to 15 years. The body I have now is not composed of the same cellular framework that I was born with. It's pretty strange to think that I am currently in revision 4.5 or so of my physical body.

This revelation gives me all kinds of useful ammo for when older family members call back to the old days of my youth.

Aunt Gertrude: I remember when you were just a little lamb, I could hold you in my own two hands - Gimme a big ole kiss for ole times sake.

Do YOU! want the BEST! of me!?

Me: That wasn't me Aunt Gerty. My mind now occupies a newer, more capable shell. The baby you held in your hands is now the dust that settles on your book shelf... You should clean your book shelf. 

It is impossible to love a person because of who they used to be. Who they used to be is not who they are, and if they are then they have died, failed to become who they should be since who they should be is always changing.

It is also impossible to love a person based on who you believe they will become. Who they will become is not who they are and if they pretend to be who they believe they will be someday, they will most certainly become something else since they haven't yet experienced the it that makes them themselves.

It is only possible to love someone as they are, fully knowing that the 'are' is a dynamic, ever morphing set of qualities.

A person is only who they are at the moment of which they are. I cannot be what I was or what I will be because I am only what I am right now.

This thought train makes me chuckle to think of all of the young, angsty, hormone machines who say things like "Why can't you just love me for who I am!? I was born this way!".

Why, I do love you, imaginary teenager that I've not actually encountered... But I'll like you more in 7 years when all of what you are has been replaced.