Feeling Nostaligic

I was driving out in town the other day and got caught in some really bad traffic--very uncharacteristic of a small town but it was due to the fact that I was across the street from the local high school and everyone was in a mad dash to get out of there and get home. As I sat in the car, I looked on at the campus and at all of the high schoolers walking around. I saw the groups of girls gossiping and laughing at each other; I saw the couple making out; I saw the couple enraged in a fight; and I couldn't believe what I started feeling--nostalgic. I couldn't believe it--I was feeling nostalgic for those days that I apparently hated so greatly.

After reflecting upon this emotion, I became very upset with myself. Why didn't I enjoy high school more? Why didn't I enjoy those "coming of age" years that I'll never have back? Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't repeat high school if you paid me--but I wish I had appreciated the good things better than I had while I was there. Instead of being upset about not having a boyfriend, or upset that my grades weren't as good as they could be, or upset about the things going on at home--I could have taken into account the fact that I had the greatest group of girl friends that anyone could have ever had--girl friends that I really don't have any more. Yes, I am still great friends with a couple of them today, but we are separated by coasts and we don't get to do all that we used to in high school, let alone see each other more than once a year. The rest of those great girl friends from high school have faded off, creating new lives for themselves. I wonder if they ever think of our friendship as fondly as I do. I wonder if they ever get nostalgic over those long lost days of running from hall monitors, ringing taco bells and nights of no sleep and gossip.

Yes, high school was frustrating. Boys were stupid and teachers were even worse; homework was lame and I hated having a curfew. But--I had great times with a group of girls that were truly special--and I wish I had appreciated all of our fun in the moment while it was happening. That's really the point of high school, I think...to form these friendships that will impact your life forever.

As the traffic started to pick up again, I looked upon that group of girls I saw outside of the school. I made a wish for them--that they would always appreciate those other girls standing around laughing with them. I hope they stay in touch as long as they can, and they realize how lucky they are to have each other.