Yet Another End

One week left before the final release for winter leisure. Nice, eh? I am ready to pack up and drive away, ready to hold snow in my mitten-covered fingers; this is the end. Do I feel better knowing that yet another handful of my friends will trade in their student cap for an employee one? Not really. This is my last fall semester too, and I realized a few days ago that I am really going to miss the winters here. From my window I can watch the groundskeepers, bundled in toques and sturdy jackets to keep out the wind, as they tell jokes while working on a pipeline. I know a few of them by name and I am friends with some of their wives. I am going to miss this little world where everyone knows everyone else. Last night when the guys came up to our floor, we sang songs of transcendental self-release and laughed about the things that had brought us together. I watched their expressions as we bowed heads and shared the sentiments of our hearts -- do they see what I see? These men of God are my friends, and each one has his own marvelous dream, just as I have mine. Will our dreams ever intertwine again? Dr. R. once said that life is one big planner filled with divine appointments, that we are responsible for recognizing and seizing the opportunities we are given. I wonder if she knew that her words would bury themselves deep in my thoughts. There is still much to be done, and much to be said, but for now I am taking time to enjoy these last encounters.