"A parade," I heard someone shout, "a parade! Hurry quick! It's passing by now!" I sauntered outside to see the passing parade. I shoved my way through the crowds with a frown.
"Move out of my way," I mumbled as I continued to push through the thickening crowds. The parade was beginning to near my position. I could hear the growing sounds of music and cheering making its way closer to me. Finally, the parade master passed me; it was strange. It seemed almost as though he looked directly into my eyes. The first float made its way along the bustling street. It was bright and happy filled with childlike wonder and amazement. So many intricate details filled the float and contributed to the overall appearance. I thought to myself how much I liked this one. It reminded me of my childhood days.
The next float prompted thoughts of elementary school. A yellow school bus, desks, a stern teacher waving her finger at the students, children running and playing during recess— this one also seemed familiar. Following closely behind was another float, but this one resembled high school. Cheerleaders and football players filled the float. After this float, the convoy continued with a float throwing candy and beaded necklaces out to the children lining the busy street. It seemed like one giant party.
"College," I said not thinking.
"What was that you said honey?" an elderly woman next to me quizzed.
"Nothing just forget it. Mind your own business." The parade continued along its merry way with another float, only this time, the float seemed drab, boring, as if someone was working mindlessly at a job they hated.
"Strange," I thought. It was only today that I had fallen asleep at my desk, again. Ensuing this plain float was a float filled with light and joy. An image of a family filled the bottom of the float. A warm feeling began to make its way up my spine and through my chest. But as I kept watching the float, studying it more carefully, that warmth began fleeting away. There was a blue background and yelling; the entire scene began to resemble a fight with regret, anger, and sadness. I hung my head remembering a fight I had, with my loving family, only a few short years ago. I shook the thought from my head.
" Enough! I don't need to remember any of this; its meaningless." The parade didn't seem to notice my displeasure and kept on its path. A float filled with red trailed along behind. Red took over my eyesight. Unhappiness and contempt seemed to take over every volunteer standing on that float. A passionate burning filled my core, and I couldn't take it any longer. I began to scream and pushed past the few people in front of me. I ignored the officials yelling at me to go return to the sidewalk. Nothing could stop me. I sprinted for what seemed like miles, ages almost, until I finally arrived at the head of the parade. I grabbed the parade master by the shoulders and began to scream.
"What is this? What can you mean by this? Why me?"
The parade master seemed to smirk as he replied, "Think about it. Why don't you just think?" I began to ponder; I evaluated every aspect of my life. My anger quickly dissipated into regret, and I fell to the ground weeping and accidentally pulled the parade master with me.
"What have I done with my life? It's pointless. I bring nothing but hatred everywhere I go." The parade master grabbed me tight and forced me to look into his eyes.
"Son," he comforted me, "it's not too late; your life has only begun my dear boy." He gave me a tight embrace and coaxed me to my feet. "You can still change everything. There is still time." I turned to look up at him, my eyes meeting his. I gave him one last embrace and turned to the crowd. With one deep breath and one first step, I felt a new beginning was only just starting.
