Radiant Tales: Chapter Twenty.

Where do you stand? I was once asked.
She didn't mean literally. She just wanted to know where my place in the graduation line was.

But I still thought about it.
Hmmm. Where do I stand?

Well, let me tell you.

I once stood for the first time, probably holding onto my mother's fingers.
Once, I stood on my father's feet, grasping his knees and telling him not to go to work today.
I stood, crying and afraid, at the doors of my kindergarten class, not quite sure what would happen.

I once stood at the doors of an airplane, not knowing what my new life would hold.
I stood on the shore of the Isle of Lewis, the banks of Loch Ness, the grounds of the Preston Temple.
I stood at my sister's dorm, hugging and telling her, though she couldn't hear, I didn't want her to go.

And I once stood at the doors of American Fork High School.
I stood at Mrs. Westover's door, worried at the prospect of taking Honors English.
I stood in Orchestra, watching Mrs. Smith wave her baton over my head.
I stood in Miss Shelley's room, her quote drawing me to her class.
I stood at Madame's desk, listening to her encouraging words of defying the world.

And soon, I will stand, in front of my family, my friends, and people I don't even know.
And I will walk.
And leave behind all those places I once stood. Ready for adventure and new places to go.

With shakey knees and watery eyes.
With sweaty palms and stubby fingers.
With every inch that I have grown.

Where will I go?

Well, forward of course.
No matter how shakey, sweaty, or short I am

:)

No matter what people tell me - that I can't study Nursing and French at the same time . . . I will.
That I can't find a job on campus . . . I will.
That I can't earn money to travel the world . . . I will.
That I can't live in Paris or go on a mission . . . I will.

Because that's what standing does. It means I have goals. Plans. Desires. Determination. Faith. Hope.

A purpose.

So.

Here I stand.

Terrified yet excited.
Sad yet happy.
Inadequate yet Ready.
Shaking. Yet Standing.