stepping forward

i am stepping forward one foot at a time.

my best friends on either side of me, to enjoy the journey i am taking.

my family behind me, to catch me if i fall.

and my future bright and shining ahead of me to keep me motivated to keep pressing on.

yesterday was graduation. 13 years of school, leading up to one ceremony that was hour and half long, and a day filled spending with friends and family. it almost seems like a wasted 13 years, but i know its not.

i learned so much in the past years, how to make friends, how to do math and how to write papers, how to study or not, how to enjoy life to the fullest and take pride in the work i do. the lessons i learned i am sure i will take with me on to college. and after that.

the last year has seemed like the hardest one yet. so much has happened with in a few short months. the most lessons i learned have been within the last few months. how to be courageous when everyone else stood fearful, how to love the unlovable, how to forgive those who hurt me, and how to stand up when everything else is crumbling around me.

this past year has been the defining year for me. it has forced me to grow up really fast, and to take charge of my life. i have been hurt a lot, but yet i have come out of this year stronger and better because of it. i have experienced pain like very few other people, and yet i have been healed by God.

as this is the end of my high school career, i also remember it is just the beginning of the rest of my life.

it is the beginning of

more growing,

more stretching,

more love,

more laughter,

more hurt,

more healing