Kick Drum Heart

Here’s to life.

Here’s to a year of magic, a year of change. A year of growth, of growing pains, of pain in general and pain felt for others.

Here’s to half a junior year that was wild and crazy and fun. To resolutions, to prom, and to new, existence-altering thoughts. Here’s to alcohol and the lessons that inevitably accompany.

Here’s to friends who care and friends who enjoy the moment. Here’s to company that will never be forgotten, even if we do lose touch. To people and faces and the spark of youth that sets everything it touches to fire.

Here’s to summer. Here’s to driving, to breathing and to hillbillies who wash their hands in puddles. Here’s to light hearts.

Here’s to Gowanda. Here’s to a community that can draw together and generate strength for one another, unselfishly, in the most unexpected and trying of circumstances. To the power and the passion of people who want to make a difference.

Here’s to music. Here’s to the Avett Brothers, for supplying my heart with affection, amusement, and love. Here’s to Conference All State. To musicians of all ages, ethnicities, orientation, and talent levels that just want to breathe their passion into the world.

Here’s to graduation. Here’s to an uncertain future but a solid start. To senior year and the stress and ambition that bullet toward achievement.

Here’s to life.

Here’s to you, 2009.

I’ll drink to that.