The Best and the Hardest Thing

Chapter 17

I entered the hall with just enough time to catch the beginning of caseys speech, I couldn't believe how much a pregnant lady would have to pee in the space of half an hour.

"...it's highly unlikely we'll ever forget Jamie Fisher frequently coughing and sneezing in the middle of morning announcements, a certain M.I.A. physics teacher's... shall we say... adventures?, Gemma staitley dressing as an elf on the day before Christmas break, Jay Firman pie-ing the ever-egotistical Mr.Calvin in the face, or our team the red lions winning at the first annual Volleyball Tournament and getting into finals for football and finishing at first place thanks to the help of our cheerleaders. let's not forget the ridiculously snowy Homecoming game which we won by a landslide, the boys' varsity basketball team reaching the 3rd round of states, or our class winning the Mascot Wars for the second year in a row. last night as we were setting up for prom tonight hall of Fame started playing in the background and it just hit me that our high school careers were almost over.

There are countless other memories that are our own, an infinite stream of experiences no one else could ever understand. But all of these different branches in our stories have led us all here to this very moment: graduation. While for some graduation might just be another day, for others this could very well be the proudest moment of their lives so far.

And we could have not gotten here without the love and support of those who have watched us grow up in the blink of an eye. Many times we take their help for granted and never really step back and notice how our lives would be different if they weren't there to guide us. If anything, let tonight be our thank you to them-our parents, siblings, other relatives, girlfriends, boyfriends,friends-because without their unconditional support we would not be sitting here capped and gowned, ready to receive our diplomas. They're the hands that kept our own steady when our stories got a little messy.

When you think about it, today is like the cliffhanger at the end of a really good chapter. As freshmen, graduation seemed like a lifetime away. Another four grades, 16 marking periods, 720 days. And yet here we are, the authors of so many pages that we wrote in what seems like no time at all. This building has become our home away from home, our teachers have become our mentors and friends, and our friends have become our family.

But what's going to happen in 30 years, 15 years, one year, even just in the next 5 minutes? When we're all celebrating after this ceremony and we walk off into the unknown, what do we do? It has been said that "It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live." So while it's important to have dreams and goals and aspirations, we're meant to simply live life. We can sit and wait for the future, or we can live and make it happen. We can hand over our stories for someone else to write, or we can turn the page and keep writing ourselves. Thats why I would like Dana WIlson to come up to the stage"

I stood up confused as heads turned to look at me as I walked past the many parents and graduates sitting in the hall, wondering what was going on.

As I walked up the stairs Casey was fumbling around in his pockets.

"babe what are you doing?" I whispered, he got down on one knee and next thing I knew everyone was in awe and I was beginning to cry.

"Dana Louiza Wilson, will you help make me the man I've always dreamt of being and marry me?"

"yes!" I shouted loud enough for everyone to hear. Casey slipped the 4 carat engagement ring on my finger and kissed me just as the crowd cheered. he then turned and finished his speech as I stood behind him.

"and for me ladies and gents, my dreams have began, with a few lyrics from the song hall fame I just want to say-

You could be the greatest

You can be the best

You can be the king kong banging on your chest -and if you are

You could beat the world

You could beat the war -and by the end of it all you'll be

Standing in the hall of fame

And the world's gonna know your name

Cause you'll burn with the brightest flame

And the world's gonna know your name

And you'll be on the walls of the hall of fame..goodluck with your futures, I can't wait to meet again in 10years for a reunion and learn of your successes"

We walked off holding hands and took our seats as we waited to receive our diplomas. Casey was first and I was the last. After we received our diplomas we joined in the celebration of throwing our caps in the air, which we'd all have to find post ceremony.

I Could see my mom, in the crowd crying and cheering and I began to feel overwhelmed. Should I forgive her?