Looking Back....Looking Forward

I took me a while to really write this entry. Not because of the subject matter that I am discussing, but to really speak what I wanted to say to really give this justice. I know this time of year is a big "rite of passage" for so many people in terms of their lives beginning. Mostly, those who completed the big hurdle in their lives. Me graduating high school so many years ago - I can only count the years for I am getting old; I thought that is was just the biggest accomplishment in my life. Something that I worked hard to do and to share it with my family and my friends, many of them that walked the same journey with me from day 1. I can't say that I begun with them. Being transplanted from Oakland to Mississippi, I will admit was kind of a big change. Yet, in retrospect, I can hardly remember the times of Kindergarten and 1st Grade. Not clearly. Yet, 2nd grade unto that May night in 1994, I can remember those times fondly. The classes (some I kind of slept through YAWN), hamburger Friday, and the recces time. Lockers (which I rarely used), to homeroom (which to this very day, I still try to find out the purpose for that. - I wonder has anyone in the history of education ever failed homeroom.) Study-Hall, which I still think, does anyone every study there? I know I never did.

Then I think of my days back high school - 4 years that really say help define me as the person I am today. Being a realist, learning history (helping pass a class in the process), discussing conspiracy theories in Mr. Wade's class, to debating the topics of the day - only because if just play the devil's advocate. But the most fondest thing about it are the people, those that I call my friends. In a sense, it was a family, because in many aspects, we spent more time together than our actual family. (well it would seem the case.)

But, like many things, time passes, people lose touch, and we all grow up on the paths that we all walk. Some got married, have children on their own, followed their dreams, accomplished whatever they sought out to do. One thing that I can say about Facebook, is that it did reconnect many of us that it would be difficult to find - even those that lived in the same neighborhood. :P Yet, looking at so many now accomplish much, it does my heart proud to see so many do so much. (so may not achieved what they thought they would back in high school, yet you may done more than you expect and tomorrow is a day of ambition and never too late to do it.

Now looking back, I smile. Looking forward I smile at the possibility of what is ahead. A circle that widens with new experiences, new people that come in as well. But, where it starts are those that were there from the beginning. And me personally, before I was a cynic, before I was a villain, before I was just an overall ass, I was Marco. It is said  you don't know where you are going until you know where you come from. I know I came from Morton, Mississippi. I carry that place in my heart wherever I go. Sadly there is no K's Korner in Dallas and I can't get that teleport platform working or I be there stocking up on burgers.

Now, I look at the raining night in May, we all left the nest, planted new roots, raising a new generation and looking ahead to the future. I don't know where it may take me, but I know, as I knew then it will be something grand. Some those that have now reached this milestone. Know the future is bright and yours to take. Your story is to be written, as ours were. Make it a grand one. Look forward and start your journey.

With one step.

SAW