Back In Time

I stepped foot on the track, and from first sight, everything appeared just the way I had left it six years ago. The track felt good under my feet. It felt natural and like I belonged. Running up and down the stadium steps brought back memories from years past. During my laps around the track I found myself instinctually flying over the imagined hurdles placed in my path. My form was slightly off, but nothing a few more attempts couldn't perfect. I saw myself stretching on the grass, in the exact spot I always sat, after a long and tiring practice. And then I saw myself giving up, quitting, putting track in my past, and forgetting that I could have been good. Instead, I decided to turn my back and walk away. I had the speed, the form could have always been improved, but the speed was there, and that's what mattered. That's what won races. But I gave up. I decided it wasn't for me. And I decided to move on to other things, like wishing I was no longer in high school, and longing for the college life.

As I ran around the track, ran up and down the stadium steps, and imagined myself back in high school, my mind couldn't help but think of the way my life used to be. Of who I used to be. And where I've come in life. Six years ago I never would have imagined I'd graduate from BYU. Six years ago I never would have imagined I'd have spent a summer working at fat camp in California, lived in Hawaii for a summer, or made some of the best friends a girl could ever ask for. Six years ago I never would have imagined I'd go work for the government in Washington, DC, and then travel to Africa for work. Six years ago I never would have imagined my sister and I would become roommates for two years, after not having lived together for nearly eight years. And six years ago I never would have imagined I'd quit my job, go live in Oklahoma for a month, and then move in with my parents, jobless but engaged. Six years ago I never would have imagined my life would have taken the course it has. But six years ago I wasn't who I am today, and I'm glad it's taken me six years to semi-figure out a few things in life, like how to work hard, how to go after my dreams, and how to believe in the impossible. And most recently, I've learned how badly it sucks to not be working and making money. (I hate feeling like I'm on a budget!) I'm definitely missing my monthly income, but I know that good things are ahead of me, and patience is a virtue. That's one thing, that six years later I'm still trying to figure out. Patience has never been my strong point in life. Maybe in six more years I'll be closer to incorporating it into who I am.

Life after high school is great, and although I enjoy going back to my old stomping grounds and utilizing the track and stadium steps, I'm glad I never have to relive those days again. Somethings are meant to stay strictly in the past, and for me, high school is one of those things.

Other things however, are ok to reemerge. So, because I'm going back in time in this post, I'm including this picture, from two years ago. (don't be mad sister)

It just makes me laugh!