Before that…

As I walked back from the Ballston Metro, I crossed Langston Blvd. and smiled, seeing that my car was no longer being blocked by the 18-wheeler.

Before that, I exited the Ballston Metro station, wondering if I’d be able to drive home, once I returned to my middle school.

Before that, I exited the elementary school, after an informmative 4pm meeting.

Before that, I sat down with my daughter’s old high school newspaper moderator, now an elementary principal.

Before that, I exited Courthouse Metro, after riding three stops and walking two blocks and glancing at my iPhone to see that I was right on time, five minutes until my scheduled meeting.

Before that, I committed to a Plan B and started walking the half-mile to the Ballston Metro station.

Before that, my colleague confirmed that the truck driver’s vehicle had broken down and a tow truck was on the way but could take hours.

Before that, the fire alarm went off and as I exited my middle school, I noticed that an eighteen wheeler truck was blocking the narrow parking lot driveway near the tennis courts where my car was parked.

Before that, I smiled as I pulled into the last of the seven parking spaces by the tennis courts, happy to park in the small lot closest to the back door closest to my school office.

Before that, I looked at my calendar as I finished my bowl of cereal and remembered that I had a meeting at 4pm, just a short two-mile drive from my middle school. I was ready for an uneventful day, followed by an after school meeting nearby.

NOTE: I learned about the Before that poem form here and used it first in 2022. This is my 6th Before that style poem!