Final Desitnation

In continuing my story with Mommy Piggy Tales – this is my final post.

My ‘life’ was rudely interrupted as I was about to enter High School. This long awaited, and imagined destination was removed from my grasp with the news that my father had accepted a  job transfer – in the city.

… Deep down, I’d often dreamed of being a ‘city girl’ and to be honest – never felt  like I fit in the midsized town culture. I had longed for choices, adventure and the unknown…

Meanwhile, my heart was torn because the world – as I knew it – was being taken from me. Inside, I was DONE with starting over. This would be my 9th school in 12 years. I wasn’t up for being the ‘new girl’ again – but didn’t have a choice in the matter.

The new school was HUGE! I felt so alone, that I took my lunches on the steps of the school and road home on the school bus … alone. I couldn’t bear eating alone in the crowded lunchroom. I ran from the humiliation of being alone in the midst of the crowd.

My pity party got ‘old’ after a while and I decided to look around. The teachers and students were friendly and the school was void of the tensions my former hometown had. There were freedoms I hadn’t known and new opportunities. The horizon looked daunting on one hand  and limitless on the other.

I finally mustered up the courage to try out for choir. To my surprise I landed in the top choir and you’ll never guess what our signiture song was. “The Lord Bless You and Keep You”. I felt at home in choir and savored every concert. I was blessed to be a part of such a stable, talented group.

I DID get some flack from being the ‘new girl’ on the social scene. The girls in school had the guys ‘marked’ and opportunities for school rewards were for the ones who had been there all along.

I didn’t mind trying to break the ‘glass ceiling’ – I thought it was a bit fun  - to be honest.

A turning point came during my first football season when I was mourning my former team and friends. I came home from a pep-rally and told my mother, “This school doesn’t even know what they’re doing. The cheerleaders don’t jump well and their signs are too small …” She smiled and said, “Well, why don’t you show them how to do it?”

I took her at her word and began to ‘work-out’ – although we called it ‘exercise’ in those days. I put myself on a systematic routine and set my goals for this coveted position. At my new school they were NOT chosen by popular vote. They actually brought in judges who knew what to look for.

A year later – I found myself in the midst of the group I’d dreamed of joining. To be honest, I don’t think I wanted to be a cheerleader because they were special. I REALLY liked the sport of cheerleading. The games, marching band, pep-rallies, summer camps!!! I loved it ALL and gave myself to it wholeheartedly.

Consequently, school was easy  - good grades always followed stability for me. I made new friendships and kept the old – visiting our former home and relatives was a regular part of life for us.

Unfortunately, my parents separated for good during my High School years. I knew at the time it was … complicated. Mom and I lived together until I went off to college. {that’s another story}

My senior year was over as fast as it began. Soon after – I was thrust into the world to be ‘grown-up’ before I felt ready. I can’t help but wonder if my age had something to do with that – I was 11 months younger than many of my peers. Socially – it was hard to leave. I loved my school, my friends and my life.

However, this final destination was providential. For, in the sad process of moving to this new found land – I had no idea I would meet my future husband in this school; raise our children in this town; return to my Christian roots in the local church; and serve in the community. In hindsight – I was coming home.

God does answer prayers in mysterious ways. His eye is on the sparrow and I know he was watching over me.

Thank you for reading and I encourage you to tell your story in blog form – just contact Janna and get started on your journey.

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