Have you ever reached a point in your life where you just don't know what you're doing or where you're going? Well I was at that point at the end of last semester. I just felt like there was an absence of some sort in my life and at the time I wasn't sure what that was. All throughout high school I was involved with theater and music. Due to a series of rather unfortunate events, I hadn't exactly gotten back into the swing of those in college. So when the opportunity presented itself to try out for this years Spring musical, I was a bit hesitant at first. I wondered do I really have the time to add a rehearsal schedule to my plate? Well a guardian angel or something of the sort must have whispered the answer "yes" in my ear, because two days before auditions I made the decision to try out...and thank god I did.

I ended up being cast as a large supporting role and was excited but nervous for the commitment all at the same time. I walked into the first rehearsal, looked around at the 20+ other cast members and wondered, will I be friends with these people? Are they going to like me? Did I make the right choice to audition? Well the answer to these questions would once again become not only yes, but absolutely.

This semester has been anything but an easy ride for me. In fact it has been the hardest one for me yet. With a combination of challenging classes and problems in my personal life, the musical became my saving grace. As rehearsals went on, I began to form relationships with people from the cast outside of the 3 hours we would spend at the theater each night. We began to hang out every night, air our grievances about how rehearsal went that day, talk about past productions, and just get to know each other as more than a person portraying a role in the production. Little did I realize at the time that spending these couple hours cast bonding, I was actually forming some of the best friendships I've ever had.

These people came into my life right when I needed them the most. They reminded me what it is like to feel like you're a part of something special. To have a group of friends that cheer the loudest when you soar but are always there to catch you when you fall. As cheesy as it may sound, I honestly believe being a part of this cast and joining this production was fate. I frequently find myself wondering if I would have survived this semester had I decided not to audition for the musical. While it certainly may not have been the most organized production that any of us were in, it brought us to each other.

This group has taught me to think about life in a new way. That no matter how rough things may seem at the time, there is always something to be grateful for. They inspire me day in and day out to be a better person. They help me to remember that even when it seems like the world is against you and nothing is going right, there will always be someone there for you.

So while we may have been frustrated with the production at times, though we may have wanted to quit after some rehearsals drove us nuts, I wouldn't change one minute or memory of this experience for the world. This little cast of 20, the strong bonds I formed, the tears shed and the moments filled with roaring laughter; all reminded me what it feels like to be loved and accepted.

While I have told them this many times before, thank you to "that little gang of mine." Thank you for loving me, accepting me, and making my days brighter. Words can not express how much I needed it and how much it has meant to me.