Zenith

The ever rising hum behind the curtain indicated another packed house.  Moisture dripped from my fingertips. I was a frightened ten-year-old once more, stepping onto the stage for the first time.

I no longer lost my nerve and ran for cover, but the anxiety never went away.  The enormity of the situation was very real, but the blissful rewards would not arrive until the night was over.
I took a deep breath, settled my nerves, and moved to my starting position at center stage. This was my moment, and I would rise to meet the challenge.

As the curtain rose everything fell into place in a brilliant picture of perfection. Any doubts that remained washed away in a thunder of applause and wonderous elation.

Nothing could surpass my absolute joy in that moment. The anxiety would return, but it would pale in comparison to the emotions swelling within me. After so much struggle I was where I was meant to be, and it was where I intended to stay.