The Journey Is More Important Than The Beginning Or The End.

Congradulations '04 SHS Students
Listening to: Graduation by Vitamin C

In the last few years, I have grown to be someone who is pretty strong willed, and it takes a lot to make me cry like i did today.

Today, I graduated. Not just me, but all my friends. As I was sitting there, I started to have memory laps and I went as far back as Kindergarden. I started to remember all the things I have done, all the time I have spent, and all the things I learned, just from my friends. Then I realized, in the past 13 years, they weren't just my friends, but they were my family. I remember watching each of my friends that have been in my classes since 1st grade walk up and get their diploma. Franky, him and I were the class clowns. Amy, my first huge crush. I mean, there was so much I have encountered, and I never even began to think about how every morning, in the back of my mind, when I woke up, my day would have each of those people in it.

"I keep thinking times will never change. Keep on thinking things will always be the same. But when we leave this year, we won't be coming back. No more hanging out cause we're on a different track. And if you got something that you need to say, you better say it right now cause you don't have another day...."

I have had a lot of fun in school. I remember life wasn't always the greatest at home, and being at school would make things better. My friends always knew how to make me laugh, and even though I never wanted it, they were always there wanting to help me when something was wrong. Maybe, instead of keeping all my problems to myself, I should have let my friends help me. I mean, they always knew how to make me laugh, and forget things. They still do.

"...So if we get the big jobs and we make the big money, when we look back at now will our jokes still be funny..."

I don't know how many of these people I will see anymore. A few years ago, a friend of mine, died in a snow mobile accident. How do I know that as soon as I have turned my back to the school, to continue on forward in my life, that one of my friends won't get hurt? I don't like the idea that as soon as my back is turned, someone I love could get hurt. How many of these friends will I ever actually see again? Nadine is moving to Wisconson, Charles to N.Michigan, David to Grand Rapids, then prolly another country, Brian off in another country at war, Charity off to Canada, Josh off to Indiana in a year or two, Mike... I have no idea where he is going... and me, off to Chicago. Others I know I will always be able to find... Ryan... working the grocery store here in Shelby... heh.

"Will we think about tomorrow like we think about now? Can we survive it out there, can we make it somehow? I guess I thought this would never end, and suddenly it's like we are women and men. Will the past be a shadow that will follow us around, will the memories fade when I leave this town. I keep - keep thinking that it's not goodbye. Keep on thinking that it's our time to fly."

I hope everyone can make it successfully. My mom ran up and started bawling into my chest saying her baby wasn't a baby anymore, but a man, who will now go off to start his life, and a family of his own. I started bawling. I am crying right now even thinking about it. Everytime I looked at someone I have known my whole life, I would brake down. My family has been so supportive of me. Telling me since I was 4 that I was going to do great things. Telling me I would one day have what it takes and more.

As I came back to reality, I watched as the last of our class graduated... I tried so hard not to cry. I strained myself. But I failed. I broke down... I broke down hard too. To my right, on the bleachers, was my aunt video taping. To my left, I saw Molly watching me. I love Molly so much. I kept tuning away so she wouldn't see me crying. It was the first time she did.

When it came time for me to go up there, I stopped midway accross the stage and gave my principle a hug. Even though I had this sign on the top of my hat that read "This side ^" and she made me take it off, I still was going to miss her a lot. I continued accross the stage, received my diploma and my class flower, and I continued back to my seat, seeing all these faces I have come to know very well over the last 13 years snapping pictures of me and cheering.

Finally, it was time to throw our caps in the air and we had a suprise for the principle and other staff. A lot of us had snuck silly string in under our robes. Wow, it was crazy. I mean, there was so much, it was hard to see anything. Everyone was covered in it.

I had so many students, and lower classman, come up to me and hug me, telling me how much hey were going to miss having me around. I never knew how many people cared untill then. My dad would be proud to know that 95% of them were girls too. *snicker*

When I walked up to Mr. Wall and Mrs. Wall, I could feel all three of us straining to not cry. I hugged Mrs. Wall and she broke down and must've hugged me for at least a minute, saying "Marc, your like my own child. You have been part of our family since the beginning. I love you so much." Again, I lost it. Mr. Wall looked at me and said "Quit your crying you baby, your going to make me cry...." I hugged him, and as soon as I said "Thank you so much Mr. Wall.... for everything..." He broke down too.

Mike and Erin, their daughter and son, my longest-time friends, came up and gave me a hug. Through my crying, I couldn't tell if Erin was crying or not.

Molly ran up to, threw her arms around me, buried her face into my chest, and bawled. Damn it all.... I started crying again. Waterworks were dried up yesterday for sure. I still don't know why she was crying, but I have my guesses. I love her a lot. And I was really happy she was there to watch me go up and graduate. She is so special to me. One day she will be my wife. At least I can hope.

There were so many things today that happened. I could write a book on it. David's mom, Brian's parents, Molly's parents, Mike's parents, and of course, my family were all there hugging me. Even Charity's family ran up and hugged me. Though, its been over a month, and even after being forced to stand with each other and get our pictures taken, we still haven't talked to each other. *shrugs* She is off to do whatever Charity's do... and I know my life can go on without her.

All I have to say now is "Congradulations class of 2004, my friends, my family. I hope to see everyone at the 5 year reunion. If I don't, well then I will hunt you down and beat you up..."

*sniffs*

I'm done with High School.... now I turn to a bigger body of water. As mom put, "No longer the big man on campass, but a tadpoll in the ocean..."

*Notes Saturdays entrry was posted also*

*points below*

Blogged by Marcus Morris at 10:00 PM