As my new year's resolution is to live less rigidly and more openly by finding joy in the dance of everyday life and to groove and flow with it irrespective of the outcome, knowing that facing the music is unavoidable as each day serves as corrective measures to heal up, so this particular day has the same significance but different scenery as each day will always bring new ways. The evening sky glowed with a string of fairly light draped across the courtyard casting a warm gold shimmer over the crowd. Laughter and chatter mingled with the upbeat rhythm of music pouring from the speakers. Graduates, dressed in elegant purple gowns and sharp purple suits, respectively, and they wear their mortarboards firmly, as their tassels dangle playfully on their foreheads. Entering the venue, I spotted a spot from afar where Kampala outfits with striking earthly indigo shades with unique patterns took up the space. “Over here, Mr Oye,” I heard a familiar voice, and confirmed that it was Mr Damilola. I stepped towards the direction and the group which were in the same outfit as mine and greeted all as the graduation ceremony started.
“You are right on time,” Mr Emeka said, showing me the soccer match he was watching on his mobile phone. I peeped at it to see that it was just the second half of the kick off.
“ Keep enjoying your match,” I said as I withdrew back to look at the long table stretched near the center, pikes with colourful drinks, finger foods, and a cake iced with bold letters, “Congratulations, the class of 2025” while balloons in school colours were bobbed gently with the breeze and tied to chairs and clustered in archways where groups lined up to take celebratory pictures.
Parents stood in a small circle, having pride written across their faces as every corner was alive, and we teachers received heartfelt thanks for the job well done. I couldn't hold my joy as each graduate danced to the music as if their lives depended on it. “Well, it is their day, “ I soliloquized as the fears and shame of dancing publicly crept in, before remembering a saying that states that every day is worth celebrating, and dancing in the groove in joy is what matters. I felt the air, which was filled with pride and relief, but also with celebration. After the last speech ended, the courtyard suddenly became more lively with music. A familiar upbeat song blasted through the speakers, and instantly, the graduates rose to their feet. They tilted their caps and swayed their heads, and they formed circles on the dance floor. Some moved in sync, clapping and stepping to the beat, and others danced freely, letting years of stress and late-night studying melt into joy. A few parents and teachers joined in laughing as they tried to keep up with the youthful moves. The rhythm of drums, guitars, and voices turned the ceremony from formal to festive.
Feeling alive as the music grew louder, I let go of fear slowly, and boldly I began to dance, even though dancing in public is not my thing, and I could remember vividly that I was too shy to dance during the days of celebrations earlier in my life. I started awkwardly at first and then freely eased myself out of the pressure. The more I danced, the more I realized that life itself is like music, unpredictable with a tempo that changes, sometimes soft and sometimes loud. By dancing freely and openly, I discovered that freedom is not in control but in surrendering to the rhythm. All of my friends were extremely surprised as I switched dance steps from native dance to hip-hop and all other steps that go with the flow. “ I never knew you could dance like this ooo!!,” Mr Damilola said in surprise as he mimicked the breaking dance step move that I did jokingly. “ I used to, and today is another free day, “ I replied, doing the same thing he mocked me for, and we all laughed together. Later that day I raised my head up and looked at the sky as the night went on, as the energy swayed between wild dancing, quiet toasts and emotional farewell and at the end of the day, nothing matters except for the experience of dancing to the music and facing the music by facing the fears and shame of dancing publicly and feeling lighter as months grew to years.
Thanks for reading through my story.
