It happens a couple of times of year. Sometimes I think it is brought on because of a conversation, a random thought, or because the cool magazine came in the mail. Somehow I am reminded of Sewanee, or The University of the South, and I usually end up having a dream about how I am back there trying to finish up. See, I started off at Sewanee- a small liberal arts Episcopal college in Tennessee. 10,000 acres with a gothic/Oxford inspired campus nestled on a remote part of the Cumberland Plateau. I went there sight unseen. A college visit had not ever worked itself out, so based on their slick photos and the testimony of one of my best friends, Mike, who was also headed there- off I went. Despite the student enforced dress code of coats and ties for men and skirts and dresses for women, I was still drawn to the amazing blend of natural surroundings and major liberal arts emphasis. I thouroughly enjoyed my time there- and was just on the verge of getting my gown, when my Dad insisted I transfer. It was a no-brainer for him when you compared the cost of that small school's tuition with the cost and opportunity offered by the in-state options of UNC and the like.
Don't get me wrong, God had other plans for me, and my transfer to UNC worked out in really amazing ways. I doubt my life would have taken the same path of youth ministry and camp work without having been back in NC. I had the opportunity to major in something that fit me well (speech communications) and take some classes that wouldn't have happened as an English major at Sewanee. I really did move on and embrace life as it came. I don't spend a great amount of time thinking I should have stayed, or regretting that I tranferred. I also managed to avoid some destructive behaviors I was being drawn towards as well- so that was a definite positive. Plus, I gained a sports team to pull for!
Still, a couple of times a year I have this dream about being back at Sewanee and trying to finish- sometimes I am college aged, sometimes I am the age I am now. Sometimes I am married, sometimes I am not. Sometimes I have my gown and I'm getting ready to take my comps! (I actually didn't mind not having to do those). Whatever the case, it's unfinished business in some way- something I will never get to complete. So, since the big alumni magazine came in the mail today (how I am considered an alum is still kind of curious to me) and since I was reviewing my days of canoe racing while thinking of Olympic paddling events, and since I wrote this blog, I'll expect one of those unfinished dreams soon!
