Rachel asks.... what is a grown -up?

From a twilighters perspective there is no such thing as a finished grown-up. Grown -up is supposed to denote a high level of maturity, but of course that is subjective.So let me share my feelings and experiences. As you live you begin to realize how complicated life really is. It is both very sad at times and very happy at times. Expectations to some degree can help you but they also get in the way of seeing things clearly. They also can set us up for big disappointments. It is hard not to compare others to ourselves. We don't understand why our family and friends don't do what we want them to do. After all we all know how to fix everyone else. One of the better things I have learned is that we need to accept people as they are.I am speaking of friends not children or spouses. ( they need direction and clear communication, especially spouses) Being a mature adult is a day by day occurrence. Sometimes you are successful and other times you fail miserably. I think growing up implies confidence and being happy with yourself without trying to please everyone else. I think it is very hard to not depend on others to make you happy and it takes work. When you define yourself instead of accepting other people's definition of you, maybe that is grown up. Sam defines being a grown up as learning and acquiring skills , a process not a end product.Being responsible for one's life, whatever happens is also connected to maturity and this is why some people never do completely grow up.