“Not all those who wander are lost” --J.R.R. Tolkien So as I write this, it is 2:12 AM on a Tuesday night (I guess it’s actually Wednesday morning now) and I’m finally, after what seems like an eternity, about to begin college. Well, kinda. It’ll be in like a week. Regardless, it’s late/early, I may or may not have spiked my protein shake, and I can’t sleep. With that in mind, I’ve spent the last 2+ hours stalking the shit out of all my Facebook friends, especially those I left behind in Buffalo, NY a little over three years ago. It’s truly amazing how people can change in a relatively short period of time. So here it is, my brief, slightly emotional, and altogether uncalled-for reflection on the people I’ve known, those I’ve left behind, and the road ahead. When I look in the mirror, I never question who I am. I know I am a culmination of my experiences, positive and negative, that will never stop being a part of me. Sure, outwardly, I’m pretty damn different. Looking at the skinny nerd I was in middle school pictures compared to the suave, god-amongst-men I am now (/sarcasm), it’s clear that genetics is a real thing; I am a carbon copy of all the men in my family. I’m not the only one to change either! Okay, to be honest, some of my friends don’t look different at all. Seriously, taking a picture of friend I’ve known since kindergarten from T-ball, comparing it to a picture of him in freshman year of high school, and comparing those to a Snapchat of him shotgunning a beer at college, I notice little to no difference (though I’d be impressed if T-ball him could shotgun the beer half as well). HOWEVER! These few are the exceptions. Overall, everyone just looks so…grown up. It’s quite unnerving really. A girl I distinctly remember having a crush on in middle school now has more tattoos and piercings than most of Woodbridge High School combined (not actually saying much). One of my best friends for a very long time appears to no longer have a neck [insert steroid joke here]. Jocks have become hipsters, nerds became gentlemen, and stoners…still look like stoners. Everyone from Woodbridge is certainly different than when I arrived here three years ago, but I’ll be damned if I noticed easily, and I think it’s because I was here and went through it all with them. On the other hand, nearly everyone from Orchard Park seems so foreign and while I guess I understand the progression, I struggle with understanding and it’s sad. Going back to that original idea I nearly lost track of, I can look in the mirror and understand how and why I am who I am without a shadow of doubt. I can look at Woodbridge friends and understand the same, at least within that 3 year span. But that’s what I found upsetting, that I couldn’t do the same for my friends in Orchard Park. I feel as though I missed so much and while I wouldnt have it any other way, I wish the distance was not so great. So here’s where I get to be positive *puts on gameface*. Thinking about the incredible changes that took place over just 4 years of high school has me so excited for the future. Hell, I barely recognize half my buddies from OP so, God willing, let’s go lead some interesting lives. I don’t want to recognize anyone by the time we’re done and that’s good. We need some amazing stories for when we catch up. Let’s kick some ass.
Posted on: Wed, 24 Sep 2014 09:31:45 +0000
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