The Ride

Marching band has probably been the most influential activity I've participated in in my entire life. Without it, I wouldn't have most of the friends that I do now; I wouldn't be a good musician. I would have spent my summer at home, playing video games and watching TV. 2 years ago, at the beginning of my would-be first day of band camp, I was planning on maybe going to the movies or else staying at home in my pajamas. I wasn't at all planning on doing marching band, since it seemed like it wouldn't be worth the time or effort - I already had enough things on my mind. I got a call from my friend telling me to come to the school immediately, without telling me why or giving a reason - just that it was important. I showed up at the school at noon... to band camp? And stayed with it for the next three years. A year and a half after that day, I was a member of Legends Drum & Bugle Corps. Only a year and a half and I was devoting my entire summer to something to which I previously wouldn't devote a few hours after school each day. My closest friends are the people who I've shared these experiences with... which is what made Friday one of the most bittersweet moments of my life.

Everything is changing in life. I'm preparing to exit - to uproot myself from my current life and make one for myself. Chances are I won't know any of the same people within a year, and I'll be new to every experience. Friday night was my last performance as a member of my high school's marching band. I'll never play another note as a member of the ensemble that essentially raised me to become the person I am today... which is infinitely better than the person I was before. Before, I was a retarded 14 year old. Now I'm a retarded 17 year old, and that's a huge difference. I'm no longer a meandering, depressed, shy little boy. I'm a confident, social, happy young man... but my firm grasp on life that it took me this long to gain is about to be yanked away in exchange for something completely different. I'm scared shitless.