I changed my four month old brother’s diaper today. As I wiped his little round bottom he looked up at me with a smile, completely dependent on me to clean him, completely dependent on anyone who chooses to do anything for him really, after all he’s just a baby. He’s completely unaware of the shortcomings that come with being that dependent on other people. At what stage in our lives exactly do we lose that dependence? When do we become dependent on ourselves and ourselves alone? Do we really ever? Everyone needs someone right? How vulnerable that must feel to have that knowledge. For instance, (and I’m assuming here) a husband depends on his wife to be a source of comfort during times of adversity. What if that wife were to pack her things and just leave? Sure the husband would bounce back eventually but how long will it take him? How long will it take him to trust again? The scary truth is that the people we depend on can be in our life one minute and gone the next. It’s a feeling I’ve still not gotten used to. Will I ever? Does anyone ever?