Ten years ago, today was the final day of class for my fellow high school seniors, and we had a big celebration in our honor. First we had a continental breakfast, and then we held a big assembly in the school auditorium, where baby photos of select seniors were shown, musical selections were sung, and the annual Silly Poll results were announced. I was voted Most Popular in my class; in fact, I tied with another classmate for that title. Whether it was my dancing, or my singing, or that three-point shootout in freshman year, I felt like a cool kid in school, and everybody liked me...or at least I thought so, until I learned the awful truth: Most of those same kids made fun of me, and teased me endlessly. I can still feel those beatings I got way back in middle school. And even now, they hurt like...well, you know.

Flash-forward to now: I just registered for college courses in the coming fall semester, so I can plan to make some more new friends. But I'm already happy with the ones I currently have, and I intend to stay in touch with them all summer long, until I can see them once more. Since I'll be attending a two-year college this year, I'll have to transfer somewhere else, like Wingate University. And my friends will most likely be scattered throughout different parts of the state, and possibly the country. At least I can tell my kids that I went to school in North Carolina, achieving a lifetime dream. It's nothing like Chapel Hill (a one-time childhood fantasy of mine), but at least I'm exactly where I am right now.

I'm still awaiting word on the trucking company job that I'm currently going after, but I remain very optimistic that I will get it. The main thing here is to never give up hope. I'll keep you posted on this as decision time draws near, but I think it'll go in my favor. As the old saying goes, stay tuned.