ときどき

Epilogue | The Antlers

Today marks the end of summer. The final curtain call. The epilogue. This summer sunk into the doldrums for a bit. It’s been a bit of the new day, same sh*t sorta feel, save for the weekends where I’d occasionally take up on a road trip with some buddies of mine.

I’ve become a heckuva lot better at drumming. We all need a little work, but hey, we’re gonna be great. If there’s one thing I learned this summer from drumming, it’s that if you keep working towards something, you’ll eventually be rewarded & the pay off will be worth it.

I’ve also had my hand at a few hip hop dancing because they were additional to being in this year’s varsity battery. If there’s one I learned this summer from dancing, it’s that practice really does make perfect.

Despite my summer being somewhat lackluster, I do owe it to all my friends to help make these days a lot more bearable. I don’t really hate summer. I hate the heat. In fact, if it weren’t for the vacation, I’d hate summer. But also, if it weren’t for my friends, I wouldn’t be taking advantage of these days to make some truly unforgettable memories: baking pizookies at 3 in the morning, driving here & there on the freeway, visiting places on our road trips, hiking & biking, random nights at the tennis courts. If there’s one thing I learned this summer from my friends, it’s that really, friends are all you need. You don’t need to have a lot. In fact all it takes is just one. But really, they’re always there for you so never shun them or put ‘em down when really all they’re trying to do is help you.

Near the end of July, my dog Annie passed away. She was a great pet to us. Better yet, a friend. If it’s one thing I learned this summer from my dog’s death, is that I learned to accept death & the inevitability of having to let go.

Recently, I was sent to the emergency center at a hospital in Nevada on my way back home from Vegas. I was really scared & my heart would literally stop each time I was told to run through tests. If there’s one thing I learned this summer from my unexpected hospital visit, it’s that I should always be thankful that I’m well & healthy, as well as taking better care of myself.

I’ve learned a lot this summer. Tomorrow is the start of my final year at Arcadia High. To be honest, I’m actually a bit scared. Not of the year but what happens afterward. But I know throughout the year, I’ll learn. That’s pretty much all there is to life anyway. Live & learn.

Anyway, here’s to summer. Home to some of the best days of our lives.