Don't Let Your Dreams Be Dreams

As some of you may be aware, I AM BACK ON THE EHS CHEER SQUAD!!!!!! Which isn't recent, it happened over the summer, thanks to hard work from Maria (my teacher), my parents, and EHS School Board. 

Here is what I was expecting: Friday night lights, cute uniforms, fun senior year.

Here is what I got: A beautiful, amazing, close knit team; the cutest uniforms ever; participation in a college spirit day for WSU; to ride on top of a huge fire truck as we car rallied all over town; became part of a penguin power team; a group of girls that are my friends, even outside of cheer; awesome dance buddies; confidence; and most important, appreciation. 

Homecoming was yesterday, and I say yesterday because it was ALL DAY. I spent 12 hours (or more??) in my uniform. We had a school-wide team breakfast at 9 (I was ready by 8:20), then car rally, volleyball games, team dinner, then the game, which ended around 10, (because the ENTIRE FOOTBALL FIELDS LIGHTS WENT OUT AND IT TOOK A GOOD 20-30 MIN TO GET THEM ON AGAIN. The whole entire field was dark, and we stood on the cheer platform and INVENTED CHEERS, ON THE SPOT, TO KEEP PEOPLE ENTERTAINED. IT WAS SO AMAZING OH MY LORD.) and I was in my uniform for all of that. Needless to say, putting on my Homecoming dress was such a relief. 

The hoco court was BEAUTIFUL. Ashley, Eliza, Riley, and Reece were all stunning in their long evening gowns, glistening under the lights, their escorts, Brett, Brycen, Cole, and Trent ranged from football players to cross country runners and entrepreneurs. Eliza and Cole took the crowns, and we named our new mascot Oakley. 

The whole day was like something out of one of my dreams. It was full of laughter, cheering, pep, and just complete and total belonging. As I sat on top of the fire truck that morning, 10 cheerleaders with me, I honestly felt like I was given a wish through Make A Wish. 

When I transferred to the school I go to now, I knew it was for the best. I needed a space where I could just do school and that was it. I knew I had to give up sports and FFA and music, and that hurt. I never thought I would get it back, but I knew I couldn't get my life back together enough if I didn't transfer, so I severed those ties and went to work on piecing myself back together. In the past two years, I have spent two summers working on school work. (even when I wasn't, I was hard core stressing over it, which I know is never healthy) When I transferred, I started actually getting work done, letting go of stress, and getting things back together. It burned that I was in a place that I could finally cheer again.... but still couldn't. 

Then all of a sudden, like a ray of light in the dark (not even kidding or being poetic), cheer became an option. Like, a tangible, real option for me. 

This is where I stop and make a lame comparison.  #bunny_trail 

When I was 14 years old, I broke my ankle within the first week and a half of summer. I had two solid months of travel planned out, I was pumped, ready for adventure and excitement. Yes, I still got to do all of it, but I was in a wheelchair. Or on crutches. Or just in pain and lagging behind everyone else because learning to walk on your foot again after a couple months HURTS. Seriously, I don't recommend it. Slowly, I was allowed to walk further, maybe pick up the pace a little. No jumping yet, no running. Weird how when something is taken from you, its all you want. 

I never went running or did much true exercise outside of farm work before that summer. As soon as my doctor okayed it though, I was running, jumping, riding my bike. EXERCISING. Even today I still go for runs. I love the muscle I'm building in my legs, even though its hard to find skinny jeans that fit your calves and your waist... hahahaha...... 

Point is, I take care of my legs because for a short time I couldn't utilize them. I knew I would get them back (duh, it was a cracked ankle. I'm so dramatic sometimes) regardless, I'm thankful for my legs.

NOW MAGNIFY THAT. BY A MILLION. Because I didn't think I would ever cheer again. I thought I wouldn't ever wear that uniform again. Yet, there I was, glowing. Its mine again. Cheer is mine, and so much better than it ever was. I'm still sitting here in complete astonishment of how completely and totally lucky I am.

I worked, thinking that I wouldn't get any reward except graduating. I put in hours after school, on the weekends, over summers. I didn't expect cheer. I was completely ready to graduate high school, and go to college, and watch the games, and wish that I had just gotten my life together so I could cheer. 

I'm honestly just typing words into my laptop at this point. I am so blown away, so full of complete gratitude to my teacher, who didn't give up on me, my parents, who pushed me, and the superintendent and school board of EHS. You all worked together and honestly made my dreams come true. 

Appreciate what you have. Every pain you feel. It makes life rich. All that joy, all that excitement. Even when you drag your feet to football practice or cross country or basketball or wrestling because your tired. APPRECIATE IT. Because really, it could be taken from you. You might be thinking "nah, I'll just always do the right thing and I'll never lose it". Well not to be dramatic, but you really don't know. You don't know whats around the corner. You don't know whats lurking up ahead. My classmate didn't think they were gonna total their truck but one morning it was icy and they had to break for an elk. You really just don't know. Take care of what you have. Take care of your body, your mind. Take care of your relationships. Take care and appreciate. 

Thats the most solid advice I can give you. Have an attitude of gratitude. Life will sparkle a lot more once you do.