In the past few weeks I have become more aware of others, as well as how the experiences and encounters you have with other individuals on a daily basis can affect you in both present and future terms.
During a recent conversation with my best friend of eight years, I had an epiphany. We were talking about how we had seen each other at least every school day since fifth grade and were inseparable this past summer. Speaking of the memories we share and the plans for our futures, he will be going to a school in Georgia in the fall, and I will be attending Wingate. It will be one of the first times since I moved to the Granite Quarry area eight years ago that we have not been two minutes down the road from each otherís homes.
All year I have been preparing for graduation, the ěbiggestî event in any high school career. The same event that will be here in less than a month. This will be one of the last big events that Cameron and I will share before leaving Rowan County. Granted, that will be a day that falls under the best so far, however, it will be bittersweet.
I have looked back and now see that my senior year has not quite gone as planned. This year has seemingly been tragic, that is if you look at it in a cynical, glass-half-empty way.
In the past nine months, I have began to fully understand who I can and cannot trust, as well as how strong a single individual can be if placed under unfortunate circumstances.
With this revelation, I have realized that other people do not determine who you are, what you are or the actions in which you follow through with. They simply say things that can influence the thoughts you have of yourself.
This seemingly insignificant conversation led to a better understanding and appreciation of what I have, as well as what I will soon be acquiring upon graduation, and moving on to bigger and better things.
Anita Overstreet is a senior at East Rowan High School.