Reflections...have I said this already?

I think I may have wrapped up my time here in Goldsboro in a previous post.  But it is probably worth repeating.  Mostly because it’s in my head right now and I find that’s always the best time to write it down.

As my four years here come to a close, there is nothing sad, depressing, or even bittersweet about my departure.  Over the past year or so the people that I have come to know and love have already left.  The people who helped establish the foundation of what Goldsboro means to me now, and in my future thoughts of this place, are mostly gone as well.   Even Julie, who has been here as long as I have (almost to the day) is leaving tomorrow.

Some memorable things took place during the past 4 years.  Some of them, and in no particular order of importance here:  getting to buy my favorite house of all the homes I’ve bought in my life, my deployment to Pakistan, my dog Macy being diagnosed with and then beating cancer, and of course getting my Volvo C70, which I wanted since they came out with the hardtop model back in 2007.

Of course, the most amazing thing that came from my time here in North Carolina was meeting, dating, falling in love with, and ultimately marrying my husband Eric.  It’s pretty amazing what a difference four years can make in someone’s life isn’t it?  The development of the Eric Factor has certainly caused me to eat much crow among my family and friends.  On a couple different levels.  But it’s all good.  Eric is the best thing that I got from Goldsboro and I get to take him with me to DC.

I don’t know anything about what my work-life will entail when I get to DC.  It may be the best job I’ve ever had or it may be the worst.  I’d probably be ok with something in between.  But I know what kind of life Eric and I are getting outside of work and we couldn’t be more excited about it.   The more we “Google” the happier we get.  I seriously think that if we could leave tomorrow we would.

To that end, as I say deuces to Goldsboro, I won’t even look in my rearview mirror as I drive away.  The view out the front windshield promises to be way better.

Graduation...

This post could be a sensitive one for parent-types, so I’ll warn you now…if you are a parent you don’t have to continue reading.  If you chose to continue, you do so at your own risk.  You’ve been warned.

As a woman whose perception of life and the achievements therein have not been influenced by parenthood, this is a topic near and dear to my heart.  Especially on a day like today.

Today my beautiful and accomplished cousin Sara is graduating. I’m a huge Sara fan.  My heart swells when I think of her smiling face as she darts across the stage, diploma in hand.  Her parents teary-eyed and full of pride as they watch their little girl make this momentous journey that is symbolized in 20 or so steps across the stage.

Today she GRADUATES from high school.  12 long and no doubt difficult years to get to this moment in time. 

Prior to reading the first sentence of that last part, you may have been asking yourself from WHAT is Sara graduating?  That would be a shame.  Because at this time of year people just love to talk about their precious little ones who have “graduated” from Kindergarten, elementary school or worse yet, pre-K.   

I believe going from one grade-level to the next is a good thing.  One that is marked by end-of-year parties, summer vacation, maybe even dinner out to their favorite restaurant for a job well done.  But make no mistake.  Kids FINISH kindergarten and pre-K.  They COMPLETE elementary school.  They MOVE ON or UP from Jr. high.   But they GRADUATE from high school. 

I chose not to cheapen Sara’s accomplishment by having it categorized in the same fashion as a 4 year old who has just finished a year of pre-k curriculum with concentration in coloring and naps and snack time.

Sara, I love you.  I know how significant today is in the course of your life.  This world is a better place because you are a part of it.