I’m in my final weeks of high school, and all I can think about is not thinking about how these are my final weeks of high school. While most people are excited to leave Cedar Rapids, their homes, and high school behind, I can’t picture my life without it. Growing up is terrifying! The friends I’ve had throughout all of high school, I will no longer see on a daily, weekly, or even monthly basis. I will miss my house (the house I grew up in for 18 years), the way it felt, looked, and smelt. But most of all, I will miss my family.

Even though I will only be 30 minutes away, I can’t stand to think if I yell “MOM” or “DAD” they won’t hear me. My sisters, who have been my best friends since the start of our lives, are no longer going to be my roommates. For me, it’s not just about leaving high school and setting my own rules, it’s about leaving behind 18 years of my life. I tend to focus less on the “get me out of here” thoughts, rather than the “I need to enjoy this while it lasts.” However, because I am a senior and have no choice other than to leave the nest, I have decided to make the best of this last school year and get excited about my future.

I’m excited for the new experiences, faces, and the things I will learn about myself in the years to come. Yes, I will miss my hometown and everything in it, but I can’t help but picture how amazing it will feel to come back after being away for so long. I feel like I can leave comfortably knowing that I have made the best out of my time spent in Cedar Rapids. I’m excited to make the best memories in these next few months with my family and friends. My only advice is to slow down and think about the here and now. The future will come, but the past can’t come back, so enjoy what you have while you can.

Gabby Waltermyer

Xtreme Media