Pursuing Peace

It was a long day. After deciding going to bed early was more important than math homework last night, I spent my school day frantically trying to fit 2 hours of math homework into my 6 classes before math. While it ended up working out, it wasn't pretty. I irked every one of my teachers for not paying attention during their classes, and ended up with poorly-done math homework. I left Central for the weekend feeling more stressed than when I walked in this morning. Oh well. I threw my backpack and purse into my car, slammed my car door, and got the heck away from there.

And ended up in the Hickory Hills Middle School gym. Granted, it wasn't the ideal way to spend my Friday afternoon, but you do what you gotta do, right? As Central's dance commissioner, I was asked to help out with the middle school's dance. While HH isn't one of Central's feeders, many students transfer to Central from Hickory Hills for the IB program, so our Cabinet sponsor decided that it'd be beneficial to get our school out there and involved. Of course, that meant sacrificing my Friday evening, not hers.

As I walked into the school's gym, I could describe it as no less than seizure inducing. The middle school's student council had set up 3 of the strobe lights Central had lent them, along with multiple other flashing lights. Needless to say, it was a bit overwhelming. Very middle school-esque. The dance, which was 80s themed, seemed to have a pretty good turnout: around 60 6th-8th graders ran, sat, clustered, hid all around the gym- anything to keep from dancing. Immediately upon walking in, we were attacked by the StuCo sponsor, apparently a huge fan of the IB program. She handed us glowsticks and encouraged us to get in the middle of the throng of awkward kids and advertise the IB program. She instructed us to approach students who looked like 8th graders and talk to them about the IB program. Woahh. Is this ethical? Are we supposed to influence students like this? I did as I was told, but I couldn't help but wonder. How would Glendale (the school these guys are supposed to go to) feel about this?

Who can really enjoy talking to middle-schoolers for an hour and a half? Not I; that's for sure. Between my  ethical dilemma and my contrived smile and attitude after approaching teen after teen, I was ready for a break pretty quickly. I felt as if I hadn't had a very satisfying day. So I did what I always do to brighten my spirits: headed for the mall.

As it was a Friday evening during holiday season in a town with little else to do, the mall was fairly packed. Parking, as always, took about 10 minutes. As I made my endless rounds through the parking lot scouring for a parking space, I came across the uplifting I needed. I turned into the next row of cars (for about the 5th time), and there they were. The most beautiful couple I've seen in my life. At least 75, small, and wrinkled, an old man and an old woman walked unhurriedly down the middle of the row. While I'm not sure if their clasped hands represented their physical or literal support for one another, they were adorable. Don't get me wrong- I normally find old people creepy. But for some reason, they struck a soft spot in me that brightened my day. I drove really slowly behind them, observing them with a smile, until I found a parking spot near them. And then I did what any person in my situation would do- I followed them and took a picture. Why not immortalize this perfect moment?

Marriage is a funny thing. As I observe my own parents' 20-year marriage crumbling, I've started to notice that, at least around here, there are more people in my situation than people who aren't. Maybe it's a Springfield thing, but I know so few of my peers' parents have healthy relationships. I am surrounded by divorce and dysfunction every day, so often, in fact, that a couple this old displaying affection like this becomes an oddity. So what is it about marriage? Are humankind meant to be polygamists? Obviously monogamy isn't working out too well for us. What makes a relationship successful? From my limited experience, I've found that the most solid relationships that last are relationships that do not contain an abundance of passion or love, but more like a platonic friendship, a partnership. It confuses me why people get married if they are just going to end up more like business partners than lovers- worn out of everyday, mundane life. Yet something inside me wants to believe... believe that true love exists, and that passion can last forever. But over and over again I reach the conclusion that it is pragmatic, platonic relationships that will last, not idealized, passionate ones. How disheartening. So what is the solution? Shall I remain single forever, waiting for that one Mr. Right? Should I commit myself to polygamy, since obviously monogamy isn't working out so well for us Americans? And what did that little old couple do that made their relationship so right? Here they are, probably 50 years after their wedding, and still holding hands and snuggling close, just like lovebirds.

Rather than envy them, I couldn't help but feel a sense of peace wash over me whilst creeping on them, as if their positive relationship was washing an influence of love over me.