Ritual for Me?

Super Sweet Sixteen. The popular Mtv show popularized what has become almost a ritual in modern America today. Teens have a big party to celebrate the popular birthday. When it came time for me to turn sixteen, my mother decided to bring all my friends and family together for a dinner at Buca di Beppo in Universal City Walk. The thirty something friends and family came to my house and then we were all driven to the restaurant. Its not like I got a new car or anything over the top as seen on tv, but the party was more than I could ever ask for. My friends and family were all there to celebrate my big day. But what did this big day really mean to me? Nothing.
For me, the dinner didn’t give me any right of passage. I didn’t feel any wiser or older than I already was. That’s how it is with every year that passes for me. I believe that I slowly grow over time, age, learn, and develop. It cannot just happen in one split second where you turn that one year older. As a teen in high school, I’ve gone to many of my friend’s cultural growing rituals such as bat mitzvah or quincieneras. These rituals involve religion which I lack. Their faith brings them to a certain point and their families view them as growing into adults etc. There is part of me that wishes I could’ve danced in a court with my closest friends in a hotel ball room; most of me though is thankful that I never did because it would be fake. Until I truly believe or have faith in a certain culture or religion, I wouldn’t be able to truly enjoy and embrace the customs and rituals that come with association. I’m happy that I’ve grown to slowly to discover what I truly believe in and have had the freedom to do that.