Change Changing Changes

I am two months early in Mission Hospital the day after Christmas;

The great Appalachian mountains

With hot, humid summer days under the oak tree out front

And cold, grey winters in front of the old gas logs in the fireplace;

Tan skin and bright eyes, pink sunrises and golden sunsets;

Hours spent outside in the sun, rain, and snow;

Blue skies and green grass, brown bark and butterflies;

Dark blue and bright red prosper, but no baby blue to be found;

These things don't change.

Who was I?

I am a ballerina at Southside, proud Roadrunner at HCEC, and a member of Arden Pres.;

Always the tallest in all classes (in all the places);

Dance class with Mr. O,

Rivalry with Coach Mac, study group with Mrs. Beddingfield, Math with the Martinez’s, science with

Savage, English with Ms. Pierce, and Social Studies with Mr. Witt,

And youth-group with Pastor Brian downstairs in the youth room.

Pink pointe shoes and black Marley, Purple book-bag and yellow highlighters;

Blue chairs and white white-boards, navy Ping-Pong tables and black Bibles;

Love and happiness prosper, and no hurt to be found.

That was then.

What happened?

I grew older, and continued to learn.

I quit taking ballet, became an upperclassman, and got a new youth pastor.

My own little brother outgrew me.

I began to teach dance classes,

Take fewer high school classes and more community college classes,

and take on a leadership role at church.

Pointe shoes were traded in for tap shoes, the beige book bag could carry more;

Yellow and green chairs in a new building, broken ping pong table and a new brown Bible;

Love and Happiness still easy to find, yet hurt (deaths and illness) found its way in.

This all transpired in four years time.

Who am I now?

I am a tap instructor at Southside, almost finished Roadrunner at HCEC, and still a member of Arden Pres.;

The tallest girl, but not the tallest of all.

Tap classes with my precious students,

No more PE, study group in the Library, Math with the John, Chemistry with Dr. Audia, no more English or Social Studies,

And youth-group with Pastor Gabe downstairs in the youth room.

Black tap shoes and black Marley, beige book-bag and black ink pens;

White earbuds and striped notebook paper, Red pews and black Bibles;

Love and happiness still prosper, but some scars can be found.

Changes have shaped me.

I am still here.