Monsters in the Closet

If you're like me, monster's lurk in every dark corner. An extremely over-imaginative child, I was certain of the existence off all kinds of creatures under the bed, in the closet, in the attic, even living at the bottom of my Dr. Pepper, blowing bubbles furiously. (This was how I justified blowing bubbles into my straw with such enthusiasm; any mess could be subsequently blamed on that crazy bubble elf that lived at the bottom of every cup!)
Now I'm an adult, and while I have (for the most part) abandoned the theoretical monsters in my closet, growing up has invited all new monsters into the equation. Rent. Electric bills. Crazy bosses. Severe money shortages. Sixty hour work weeks. Relationship anxiety. Insomnia. Health insurance (or lack thereof). When I was a kid, fiercely independent and dying for the day when I could strike out on my own in the world, these monsters seemed a lot less frightful than they do now. Now being 10 days away from payday, $30 in my checking account and nothing but American cheese and bread in the refrigerator. The cat food in the closet is looking more and more tempting every day! Turns out, real life offers more monsters than my over-active five year old imagination could have ever thought up. And since they won't go away simply because I bury my head under the covers, I rise to meet these monsters, greeting them as challenges that are forming me into the strong, focused, dependable person I've always sought to be.