Remembering when, giving thanks

Yesterday, I waxed nostalgic, as I walked through the doors of the University Center to buy my cap and gown at the campus bookstore.

In this, my last column for the Patriot Talon, I wanted to remember you.

I remembered the countless hours studying on the couches, the smell of the coffee brewing and the lines at Subway at all hours of the day. I remembered the excitement about getting a Chik-fil-A! Woohoo!

More than that, I remembered seeing my friends everywhere.

I remembered a couple of my Latin buddies inviting me for lunch when I was unmistakably down.

There’s little that bad jokes and silly comebacks in the company of people who care about you can’t help, at least for a little while.

I remembered the first time I came to see an adviser, who asked me what I planned to gain from my education here.

My answer was I hoped to be a better writer and, perhaps, learn more about literature.

Oh, how I sold myself short without realizing it!

Since I’ve been at the University, I can say, “Yes, I’ve become a better writer.”

I can also say I’ve made solid, unbending friendships with the people here, both staff and fellow classmates, ones that I don’t see deteriorating anytime soon.

I can say I’ve learned much more than I ever would have imagined about literature, Latin and life.

And, honestly, I can say the person I am now has changed for the better from the person I was when I first darkened the doors of the Admissions Office.

I’ve learned the people here, students and faculty alike, really do care about you.

Of course, there are some exceptions, some personality mixes that just don’t gel, and I’m the first to say I’m difficult to get along with sometimes.

But, there have been times that I honestly approached someone here with a genuine issue, an overwhelming problem, a life crisis, and, without exception, I’ve been embraced.

I’ve been encouraged. I’ve been mentored.

So, to these people who took an eccentric, flighty, over-the-hill, stressed-out mom and gave her encouragement and friendship, I say thank you.

To Kamren Thompson, my editor in chief, I thank you for being patient with me and letting me be my twisted self through my column.

To Hattie Kemp, I thank you for all the last minute copy editing to my column, your positive energy and your wonderful way with words.

To the professors of the literature and languages department, thanks for understanding me, helping me, encouraging me and spanking me when I needed it (not physically, of course).

To my friends, my nerdy, hilarious, sarcastic, big-hearted English major and Latin classmate buddies, thanks for letting me into your circle. I love you and appreciate you.

I’ll see you on the Flip Side.