Whew - Fall!

Well - it's been quite some time since I've written anything down.

It's not that things haven't been bouncing around my head, or that I haven't had any desire to get some of those thoughts (and mis-thoughts) down, I've just not really had time.

I just finished what was my final semester working on a college campus. I'm transitioning to an office-type job within the same organization. I'm looking forward to some things that will be different, in particular having a role that will allow for some more creativity. Though, I will miss the personal contact and interactions with students. I will miss that quite a bit, which does cause some sadness.

It's been a bitter-sweet thing - this leaving behind of one world for another. Resistance or hesitancy about transition seems natural, although we tend to think that we should feel otherwise. After all, even if you know something good is coming, we tend to not want to let go of what is already familiar and experienced. At the other end of transition, something great lurks. (this is a chief hope, isn't it?) But it's unattained. Smokey.

Smoke is real. I can see it, I can smell it, I can even interact with it. But it's hard to grasp. That's what promises of the future feel a little bit like to me. Perhaps it's my pessimistic bent, but I'm a not-so-interested-in-the-two-in-the-bush type.

Anyhow - I let go of this 10 year interaction with students a little hesitantly. It's been a busy fall, and it's a little hard to say good bye to what is familiar and loved. Especially when it's people. But, I have a feeling that I'll enjoy this next stage of life - until I have to slowly, cautiously be coaxed to open my hand, relinquish control and move to the next thing. I should be more open handed I think.

After all - in a campus environment you have to get used to letting go. Students only stay for 4 or 5 years and then we part company. I suppose then that the thing I'm most sad about it giving up the view of that parade. It's been such a joy to watch students come, grow, learn, change, and head out. It's been a good seat, with a great view. It will go on - students will come to college, learn who they are, who God is and catch a vision of their future - smokey as it may be - and depart for it. I'll just have to enjoy that from a distance.

I wonder what things I will fall in love with next? The thought that love, with all its entanglements and surprises, is transferable and lasting is really the thing that makes the future tenable.