Addie Goins, The Story of My Numbers

There are years that ask questions and years that answer. Years that stick out more than others, And the multitude of events that make a whole year, Or make me shudder at the thought of the number. Endless memories that are quickly forgotten But some that I can’t seem to forget. The years that define who I am Are a combination of numbers that are nothing more. Numbers that appear more often than not The ones that surround you even when you don’t realize. The four digits on my dash that said I was late coming home. The five houses and towns I’ve lived in. Countless church members that are glad to see me or sad to see me go. 174 calls my dad gets in the months from January to March that take my breath away, In case it’s a call from the District 5 Superintendent telling my dad he was reappointed. The tears that have streaked my face, Because we were moving once again. 71118-71111, one digit changed but my entire life was altered, Distance to school, friends’ houses, and dance was doubled. The total hours I’ve spent in a room counting music 20 hours a week to be on a stage for 2 minutes. 06-21-22 the day the past 14 years of my life become a memory. 16 friends I have lost and gained and those that don’t seem to go away, 6 that alienated me for the distance and choosing those closer to me. 451, the number of likes I get on a post, Because that apparently matters. 15 minutes and 42 seconds, the call with my mom from her work to the site of my wreck. And the two cars I was sandwiched between. The 164,572 miles I have driven because I just wanted an escape. Are just numbers They’ve defined my life from the minute it started 03-04-04 20:42