Old Photographs

     Sometimes I don't realize how quickly time disappears until an event or milestone comes up that marks an event which I have already completed and I think about how much time has passed. My good friend, Captain Something Fun, is graduating in a little over a month. I cannot believe it has been a whole year since I was in her shoes! I miss Berea so much and I think she is cherishing her last moments there (as much as possible with final papers, exams and other deadlines looming). I would love to go back, even for a week, to be in that moment and live in it just for a short time. Don't get me wrong, I don't think of myself as someone who lives in the past. I know that time in my life is over and I am very happy that it happened (and that I gained some very good friends, acquaintances, and my beau!). But I still miss it and love looking back at old memories. The looking back on it may be the best part of all- just being able to reminisce and think about the fun that happened, without having to think about the stress of Berea--and all the homework that was due at the time.
     Looking back is fun, but so is looking forward. And most important, is living in the present. I am at an in-between stage in my life. Sort of like those pesky years as a tween. I'm done with my bachelor's degree, but I'm not in graduate school yet. I'm a part-time student and I have a part-time job, and I am crossing my fingers I get into graduate school this year! I am looking forward to what is to come and hoping it works out this time around, but I'm trying to cherish the moments in the present. Sometimes I really enjoy living at home, (there are many perks!), and I enjoy getting to see my parents and my brother regularly. Sometimes it can be trying, and in many ways, I am ready to be living on my own. I am trying to enjoy the present and when I'm not feeling so thankful, all I need to do is remind myself that I will miss this one day.
     I have obviously been feeling reflective. I was looking through old photos the other day when I was putting Captain Something Fun's birthday gift together. Looking at photos can be very emotional- they take you back to a certain place and time. I was looking at photos from Berea days and of my niece. Even though my little niece is just two years old, it's amazing how she has changed. I hardly see the resemblance between her now and her baby photos. Anyway..I was looking at these photos, and then my beau and I were visiting with my best friend from high school and her husband, after watching the new Cinderella movie. Eating icecream after the movie, we were talking about our nieces and nephews, what we'd been up to, and college. One of us said, "when I was in college..." and I felt old.
     Between this encounter with old friends, looking back at old photos, and thinking about our friend C.S.F. graduating in May, I have been feeling reflective. I hope I haven't rambled on too much, but if you don't take anything else from this post, remember this: "Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift of God, which is why we call it the present." (-Bil Keane) Look back and reflect, and then look forward and think about what may come; but don't spend too much time doing either of these because the most important time is now. Enjoy your day! 

Signing off,
The Farmer's Daughter