Today marks the end of an era. Scarcely in life does the universe alert us mere mortals to its game plan. When the universe throws us a curve ball, it usually serves to kick the wind out of our sails and force us to change direction. Once in a while, however, change occurs gradually enough so as to allow us a moment to pause and reflect on our transition from one season in life to another.
Tomorrow I move out of my college apartment.
First, let's talk about space. The apartment's really nothing special, the first floor of a subdivided duplex leftover from Pittsburgh's steel mill days. Inside you'll find a kitchen with rocky chairs, two bedrooms, a living room /library/study/UCO hang-out, and a bathroom with excellent water pressure. Pretty typical student housing minus empty pizza boxes, week-old dirty dishes, and a smelly bathroom all thanks to my slightly- OCD roommate.
Ah, my roommate. She's the jelly to my peanut butter, the Wilson to my House, the ENFJ to my INFJ. We compliment each other so well, that people often run our names together the way relatives do with fraternal twins. We met at freshman orientation for commuter students. I remember sitting next to her because she was reading a book like it was the most natural thing to be doing while sitting in a room of complete strangers desperate to make friends. The Holy Spirit was definitely at work in us that day, though I didn't have the vocabulary for it at the time.
Over the last four years, Katie and I have been there for each other through the lose of a parent, all night term papers, Snowpocalypse, and the G-20. She sat next to me last April as took our final final exam and mourned the loss of our student identities. In Katie I've found a partner, an anchor, and a teacher. She's called me out on my bs, walked me through my meltdowns, and taught me to appreciate coffee. In her I've found a soul mate who's got my back and kicks my butt. From her I've learned that nothing in life stays static, and the trick is to change with the people you love, not try to change them.
Tonight as we have our last late night philosophical/theological/sociological chat in the 15213, we'll raise our plastic cups to our sisterhood in its past, present, and future incarnations.
I should probably pick up more ice cream.
