Six Months Absent

Six months ago I was graduated from the biggest high of my life so far; high school. Six months ago I was attending graduation parties and occasionally seeing my friends from high school. We were living up our senior summer. Movie nights till who knows when, a lot of food, and promises. We drove around with the windows down on summer day and night drives. There were a few intense rounds of Disney Scene It and lots of servings of killer mac n’ cheese…

Six months ago I got a job out at the airport. I worked at least 40 hours a week with people I enjoyed seeing almost every day at a newly opened store. I faced my fears of public transportation and learned the rhythm and language of it. Six months ago I picked up my life and moved into a new home near the city. I fell into routine and forgot about time. Time meant nothing to me then. I had so much of it to waste…

I spent most of my time sleeping and working once the parties ended. One of those many promises I made in June I broke. I started to become a stranger. Not on purpose, of course. Stranger by accident. There were a few visits along the way in those short summer days, but they never felt long enough. There were a few birthday surprises to a few people too (okay, maybe just one person)…

A hop, skip, jump and a blink later and orientation started for college. The days slowed down significantly. My friends started to leave for college also. I hated those few weeks. I felt alone. Change was really unwelcome in my life. Making new friends felt impossible, but it just needed time. I have a few at school, maybe like three or four. But most are acquaintances. The first semester is almost done…

I auditioned into a musical and made it! Finally, something familiar. It was definitely different than theater in high school, but I loved it just the same. I made friends, two in particular that I don’t know how I was living without before. And now it’s only two weeks away until the show closes…

And now I’m here, six months later reminding myself of what happened and how much I've changed in so little time. How my life went from so much routine to defying every line I try to draw. Thinking about it now, it felt like these last six months I took an absence. Absence of mind, absence of time, and absence of life. I remember a few things, but just when I do, I think of all that’s coming up in just a few short days. The closings and the openings. I think of the people I miss. The same people who are making new friends and living their own lives. I think of the promises I made, and the ones I broke. Fear goes along with those thoughts, but also thankfulness. Thankfulness for having the opportunity to do so much, know so many people, become affected by those people and affect so many other people in the process.

Opening night tonight, college auditions in only two days, and first semester ending in less than a month, a lot is going to change again. I wonder what kind of absence I’ll take again, if any. Or if I can mend the few that kind of slipped along the way.

This post isn’t really a question or much to ponder on for the readers, just my mindset at the moment… hmm. I guess I’ll figure out what’ll happen soon, right?