Sometimes I feel like life is a slow dance. Those moments, those very few moments, are everything. They are the only moments that exist, they seem like the biggest, most important moments of your life. Swaying back and forth, following where the beats lead. How would you know there is more?

I went to my high school yesterday. I had not been there since the day I graduated. As I walked through the doors, I was overwhelmed with a feeling of the utmost awkwardness. My first steps onto the premises made me smile as I remembered the pep rallies, basketball games, senior assembly, graduation party, and even my first slow dance had been held in this room. I left, almost relieved to be out of that room. I walked outside and across the courtyard, only to enter our beloved cafeteria. I walked in and stood in the middle of the room with a somewhat bewildered look on my face as hundreds of kids ran around or into me looking for their table of friends. There was pizza, cookies and muffins flying around, while lunch ladies were running around frantically, while trying to make it look like they are in control; though, we all know much better. I was suddenly brought back to reality as a pingpong ball drilled me in the face and was almost tackled by a couple students diving for the ball, who apparently would owe a cookie to the winner. Now, that, would be horrible. I decided it was about time for me to continue my walk. I walked around visiting with students and faculty I once knew, while listening to the familiar sounds of teachers yelling at the students to "shutup, sit down, and quit throwing things". I began walking down a stretch of hallway lined with lockers. There was a group of kids laughing, yet very secretive about what they were doing. I walked by and glanced around them to see what action was making them so mischievous, only to see that they had stolen all the toilet paper out of the janitor's closet and hidden it in their locker; they had conquered the world. I laughed to myself and continued walking. I walked into the auditorium where rehearsals for musical are going on. People are screaming that students should be going over lines when they are not on stage, and the students are complaining and mutter how dreadful this entire process is, but in all reality, you know underneath they love every second of it. I left the auditorium, and continued my walk down another stretch of hallway lined with lockers, however, this time I couldn't hold my laughter inside. I found a group of kids being loud and obnoxious and my immediate thought was about how immature they are. I began to pass by them as I burst into laughter when I saw what they were doing. They were trying to get one kid shut in his locker. Then I saw them realize that they could not get the kid out of the locker. "Amateurs" I thought as I walked over. The student inside the locker shouted his combination to me through the door as I showed the others that if you "hit there, kicked here, pressed and turn like this....vola". I got a hurried thank you as the student jumped out and they all ran down the hallway. I continued my stroll until I got to the band room. I stood outside of it for awhile as I watched students inside the entry way doing homework, eating, making fun of each other's sections because they have not realized that there is life outside of band. Then there was a circle of talk about who is dating who in the band. This is of the utmost importance. I then went into the actual band room. It was frighteningly comfortable. It was as familiar as my own home. I turned to leave, but something caught my eye. I turned to see a picture of myself on the wall. I stared at my picture for awhile and was suddenly overwhelmed with every memory I had ever had in that room, and with those people. Every emotion possible flooded my being. I stood for another moment, took one more look around the room and exited the building.

High school was a slow dance. Three years of slow dancing. I never knew something more existed. Those moments, those few moments were everything. I was at one point, the one whizzing threw the cafeteria bribing the lunch ladies so I wouldn't get in trouble, and I was the one locking myself in my locker experiencing severe claustrophobia, and that picture. That picture hanging in the band room. Well, that was me. Caught in the music, following the beats of life.

Funny how things change when you decide to start dancing with you Maker.... :)