Tomorrow marks a day that will be bitter-sweet. Graduation. It is the official ending of my 4 years at The University of Alabama. It is the closure that I didn't have in May. And as much as I yearned for that closure just 3 months ago, I am almost sorry to see it come now. I am glad that UA postponed graduation. It is supposed to be a happy time, and in May - even now - we're all still dealing with a tragedy.
Throughout May and much of June, I felt like I was blowing in the breeze. I felt as though, come August, I would be returning to UA, just I had the previous 4 summers. I even had dreams that involved me being late for classes and stumbling my way through student teaching - typical "back-to-school" dreams. By mid-July, training for my new, grown-up job began, and it was then that I felt a real change. I realized that I am no longer just a student, but a teacher. I have a classroom and a roster. I get to help my lead teacher plan and execute lessons - though it seems as though I will be doing a bit less as far as lesson planning than I did as a student teacher.
In just three hours, I will be on my way to Tuscaloosa. But this time it is to say goodbye. I know - it's never truly a goodbye. I will always have the memories, friends, and Roll Tide spirit (even though I'm in the heart of Georgia territory). But I am still sad to see this chapter come to an end, even though I have already begun another. It's like when you finish a really great book. I always want more from the author - maybe another character's point of view or a second book in a series.
My hope today is that I don't lose touch with the friends I made. That those who attend graduation tomorrow will celebrate not only their time at UA, but also the time of those who can't attend and the lives of those who died in the tornado. That the spirit of Tuscaloosa shines proudly.
Roll Tide.
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