Closure...?

The campus was nice today. Sunny, warm, the new promenade looking inviting, but being a Sunday so late in the term, pretty much deserted. Part of me wanted to linger. Part of me wanted to stay, as I stared out the windows of the classroom. It was so nice. And maybe for the first time, I scanned the room itself, and realized the unique place I was, both physically and sentimentally. School, but not just school; university, academia.

Part of me had wanted to get out so badly last year. Und Heute? Well, remember, this was a good term. For all the annoyances of the online classes, this was the term that brought me to the classrooms of my two favorite instructors at the U once more. (My other favorite teaches at the CC, where Heaven Help Me I Shall Never Step Foot Again.)

Now?

Well, I'm still glad to be out. And as much as I will miss the place should I not go back, I'm happy to step foot off the campus. Without thought, I walked over the verdant lawn and under the soft shadow of the chestnut tree and to the "trusty" cav. I got right in, rolled down the windows, and looked forward to the road. As I drove away, I had no question that I would look back later on the place with fondness. I am not entirely un-fond now. But there is a sense of freedom I did not have before.

Of course there's no way to know. The road may lead back here. I may be back a number of times for all I know. It might even be years still. And my routine next fall might be exactly the same -- though something tells me in the pit of my stomach that it won't be.