Who+am+I-A

The time has finally come! The time that I never thought could come soon enough but the time I wish was so far away. As I'm walking along the crisp, green pastures, I find myself reflecting on what got me to this point. All the relationships, all the friendships, all the homework, all the drama, all the times... These are the times that are over now. These are the times that I will never get back. I cannot believe this step in my life is over now. It's time to move on. But I'm not ready to move on yet. There are so many people I'll miss after this is all over. I find myself depressed as the graduation announcer calls all hte times. So many kids step up who, over my 18 years, I never got to know.

I am approaching closer and closer to the podium now. I told myself I wasn't going to cry, but I feel an uncontrollable tear trickling down my face. I look out to the crowd and into the sky to try to calm my emotions. My eyes are instantly drawn to my parents. My mom is bawling her eyes out while my dad, getting emotional as well, is trying to console her. Everywhere I look, tears are being shed like it's the pope's funeral. The announcer has just started saying the C's now. It is a matter of minutes until my first major task in life is completed. I instantly experience something I never have before. I start to get flashbacks. My whole life is just compacted into about thirty seconds of flashbacks. I can't hold it back anymore. The flow of tears down my face is now constant like that of a river. I hear the announcer profoundly say, "Kaitlyn Cody." I am next! This is by far the most emotional moment of my life. It's all coming to an end now. My high school days are now over. I don't know whether to smile, frown, laugh, cry or even faint. Finally, the announcer goes to say my name and pauses. "What is going on?!" I thought to myself. Just give me my diploma so I can get through this. This pause seems like it's lasting weeks when in reality, it's only about fifteen seconds.

"Andrew Coleman," says the announcer. Yes, I did it! Everything I worked for since I was five is now rewarded with the most symbolic piece of paper I could ever receive. Walking up to the podium, I stumble and nearly fall flat on my face. However, I recover nicely and face my super-intendent right in the eyes. He congratulates me and hands me my diploma. I am known for giving firm handshakes, but the handshake I gave Dr. Hueskin was the weakest one I've given in my whole life. I feel as though I have no strength left in my body. Nothing is left. Following the handshake, I can't control myself anymore. I take both of my arms and wrap them around him tightly, whispering "thank you" softly into his ear. Looking across at all my friends, I realize that it's really over now. No more classes with friends, no more lunches, no more anything. All of that was through now. As if I'm not emotional enough already, our graduation song begins to play. I can't handle all these emotions anymore. I would give the world for all of this to come to an end.

Out of nowhere, Michael Winalski, my partner in crime through the years, stands up in a crowd of people and proclaims that he's having a party tonight! I think about staying depressed about how much I'm going to miss all my colleagues. However, this could be the last time that we're all together. This is a time to be happy and celebrate with friends. This change in heart causes me to have the time of my life at Mike's andhave my final memories of all my "brothers and sisters" be the best I've ever had!