Last week’s ‘Chicken Legs’ post apparently struck a nerve for some readers. My intention was not to garner sympathy because I had been bullied, but rather to discuss life’s transitions and the memories that mark them.

Some of life’s transitions are chosen; single-hood to marriage, career changes, re-locating, parenting and so on. Really, you could say being an adult is one long series of adapting to new circumstances.

Other changes are biologically imposed upon us as long as we remain on the planet; moving from childhood to adolescence, to adulthood, to middle age, to senior. The most challenging of these transitions are the ‘growing up’ transitions.

I know a young boy who is entering adolescence. I do not know him well, but I am close to some of his family members. His family is a big, blended, intergenerational mashed-up variety of characters who all love him. Included in that mix are a couple of folks whose transitions to adulthood have been challenged by addiction issues. Never an easy hill to climb.

This boy is currently thriving. School is going well, he has friends, and perhaps most importantly, he has humour and personality. Those of us on the adult side of the hill know he has challenges coming up as he transitions into adolescence and on into adulthood. We are all hoping his particular hill will be steep enough for growth and development, but not so steep he stalls.

Transitions, in my mind, come with markers — memories of specific moments that serve to either aid you or impede you. My chicken legs story is one of my markers and it turned a potential impediment into a boost. Looking back, I learned a lot about community, but I know I couldn’t have articulated that lesson at the time. 

And just to be clear, my chicken legs turned out just fine, thank you very much. Sharing your stories is welcomed… next week, a little more on transitions.

I hope you enjoyed reading this blog.  Your comments, questions, ideas and suggestions are always welcome.  You can comment here, or choose between Facebook, Twitter, or the contact button.  

Anne Milne is an every Sunday blogger.  I keep it short and to the point.  Topics are as wide ranging as a straight but not narrow path.