Oh Be Joyful

This time a year ago, I was incredibly lucky to be at marching rehearsal at Anaheim Stadium, before heading off to Disneyland to ring in the new year. After a couple more days of touring California and marching in my first (and longesttt) parade ever, I returned home to complete my final midterm exams as a high school student. I got a 73% on my math midterm and thought it was the end of my intelligence as I knew it (oh, if I'd only known). I developed a spontaneous fascination with skating. I fell in love with the Fearsome Foursome. I auditioned for music school. I got a tour of NSAC and almost decided to be a veterinarian. I went to St. John's and Ottawa with Wind Symphony and Jazz Band respectively. My new cousin, James, was born. I played in my last Rotary music festival and, despite the random Wind Symphony loss, did the best I've ever done. I had my last trombone lesson and died a little inside. I went to Stephenville. I sat watching the diameter of my hair grow through the endless cap and gown, and I graduated. I felt pretty at the grand march, and I actually danced afterwards. I had too much fun bouncy-castle and bbqing it up at safegrad. I nostalgically said goodbye to my teachers - the loves of my life - and had the most fun while not actually drinking the beers at a post-grad party ever.

My summer started off with a bang when I quit my lifeguarding job before I actually started it and took a job working at kids' camps at the college instead. My restrictions came off. I spent lots of time hanging out in random groups like we'd never really done before. I went to my cabin with my parents. I tried really hard to develop an appreciation for science fiction and Monty Python, but I was a hopeless case. I went to St. John's, played in the jazz festival, toured our house, and got really scared. I went to Stephenville by myself for the first time and had even more fun than usual. Sarah and I decided we could not stand to be separated for periods longer than a week, so she and Josh came to Bonne Bay with Grammy and I and we had an epic blast. I had a cabin party with Heather and Meredith and we went on quite an exciting kayaking adventure. The goodbyes started. Heather showed me the best farewell night ever. Everyone made me cry and it was embarassing. I felt like I was leaving forever. I headed to Nationals for one more life-changing week before starting university.

St. John's life started with group pizza and an open air service. I had a brutal audition for the Citadel band. I skipped off of orientation. My parents left, and Josh brought me snacks. I hated school in all ways, but fell in love with the excellent services at the Citadel. We hosted the best dinner ever, a story I'm pretty sure I'll be telling my grandchildren someday. I ate up (no pun intended) our pizza-hang out-sleepover-hang out-church-hang out routine. I failed my first test. I had a birthday and felt loved. I went home for YC, and it felt really weird, probably because I didn't actually get to spend much time at home. Back in St. John's, life exploded. We celebrated Robyn's birthday, dressed up as ABBA, and celebrated Sarah's and Rob's birthday. I started not liking my St. John's church. School and away-from-home-ness seemed to start getting to everyone, and the rest of the school year pretty much sucked.

My first week back at home before Christmas was a bombardment of hanging out with my little church friends and the borborygmous crew. I skated a lot. Christmas came and went. It was probably the best year for family gatherings - there were so many of them - but it felt like Christmas ended at noon on the 25th. I relaxed. I read. I watched Gilmore Girls and Full House. And I saw everyone I love.

Tonight, Grammy is coming over for an excellent fancy supper, and I'll end off 2006 either at Robyn's house or at home with my parents, depending on how things go.

2006 was once again random and wonderful. I guess, in retrospect, I accomplished a lot. I felt like I finally grew up. I became closer to some people than I ever considered, and farther away from others than I ever could have imagined or wanted. And, through it all, I developed an appreciation for how lucky I am to have to so many people to love. I can't help but end optimistically. I am blessed.

When your somedays have come and gone, you may look back and be surprised to find that your best friends were not always the funniest ones, the smartest ones or the ones you've kept since kindergarten. You may just find that your truest friend was the one who tiptoed into your life, taught you how to pick your bouquet and then quietly slipped away.