twenty-something

Today was the first First Day of School that I was not present for at the University of Vermont since 1999. I have been on campus, either as student or staff, for the past six openings. That's either very impressive or pretty pathetic -- I'll let you decide which.

Thinking about the occasion from my East Village apartment today, I got nostalgic and a little sad. I wasn't there. Opening happened without me. The kiddies are reuniting and I'm not there to watch. My old co-workers are all stressed out and commiserating -- and I'm not there to join in.

Then I got to thinking about all the people that aren't there, either. Tom. Dan. Keith. Kelly. Natalie. Matt... All my friends who have moved on, too. Most of the people I cared for in my six and a half years in Burlington -- save for many co-workers and a big handful of students -- are gone. Have been for a while. And I was one of the last holdouts. And though I'm hit by some sadness when thinking of not being there, I think I'd be much more depressed if I'd stayed, facing another First Day of School without so many of the people who made UVM my home for so many years.

And then it hit me, finally -- I've really graduated. I've moved on. It's time to leave UVM firmly and positively planted in my past.

Future? Here I come.