There are moments in life where feel more of an observer or bystander than an actual part of the moment. You feel like the literal bug on the wall instead of one of the people singing and laughing together. Though you, too, are singing and laughing, you do not feel like as involved in the action. Instead, you smile and soak the moment in. You try to remember each smiling face in the room as you hold hands and sing your sorority's alma mater for one of the last times. Almost instantly, you feel taken aback by the pure beauty of being a part of such a wonderful, beautiful and timeless organization. Call this nostalgia or sleep deprivation or whatever other word you can think of, but it is one of the single most bittersweet moments of my collegiate career.
I say all this to say that knowing your life is about to completely change is a major reality check in not only your current friendships but in your heart and soul. Knowing that in just a few months, you will be a college graduate and taking on "the real world" is both enthralling and completely nerve-wracking. From kindergarten to now, life has been very driven by school, after-school job, church, family, friends, coffee, after-school activities, sports and a hundred million clubs I somehow became an officer in. Life has never been about insurance, taxes, rent, bills of various kind, groceries or any other very grown up detail of life I am likely missing. In essence, life has been lovingly overseen by my parents who have made sure their little girl is always OK. This is literally the final countdown. Yes, I have a countdown of when graduation is (t-minus 3 months), but I am a little scared.
This new part of my life is not only me growing up but also me letting go of my very structured current occupation as a student. Yes, this is very auto-biographical, and that is also OK. I feel that it sometimes takes a true account of someone else for the rest of the world to realize they are not alone in their doubts and unsure moments. So, here is my message to all people, regardless of their new adventure, just live.
Live every moment and do not forget a single moment, regardless of how minute it may seem. I will forever remember my sisters singing together our song. I will forever remember their smiling faces as we yelled together in exuberance.
In the words of the great George Strait: "Life's not the breaths you take but the moments that take your breath away".
