Columns

Life comes and goes and while we are here, I figure I might as well make the most of it. There is a set of columns on the campus of the University of Nebraska Lincoln that were the original columns on campus that gated it off from the rest of the city. They now stand near Memorial Stadium holding tribute to the U's beginning. Legend has it that if a girl graduates without ever being kissed, the columns will crumble and fall. A little dramatic, huh? Well, they are still standing tall so at least I know that I live in a place that doesn't lack opportunities for me ;) So I've got that going for me...which is nice.

I relate those columns to some of the beginnings in my life that help me along. My mom and dad, my brother, my education, my stubbornness and my friends.  Throughout my short life I have gone through different phases. I know that I have not had it hard. I have loving parents, a fantastic brother and a great family. I have friends who love and support me and I have never wanted for much. But even though my "charmed life" as my dad calls it seems to be intact, I was definitely questioning it for a while. I graduated college at the worst possible time in the 21st century. There were no jobs and very little hope.

I was living at home when I got a phone call from a former colleague at the University. She was offering me a job and asked if I could be in Lincoln the next day. Hallelujah! I'm pretty sure my skin was glowing, my hair was shinier and I had an unmistakeable bounce in my step. I felt like I was on air floating so high that nothing could ever bring me down. I have been working for the last 4 months and finally feel like I have a place. I cannot even begin to tell you how lucky I feel. I love what I do and it only makes it better that my coworkers are fabulous. We are always on the move, making changes, adding new programs and trying new things. This week, we are serving ice cream to incoming students in the afternoon. The best part of that: we get to eat the ice cream. Awesome. Who knows what next week will bring.

When I go on my daily runs you wouldn't believe what I see. Memorial stadium flanked with the Champions Club, campus and a longstanding tradition of excellence and glory. What is written on the side of the stadium: In the deed the glory. As I make my way through campus I see students and professors each with an agenda: to learn and to teach. This institution stands for so much and there is so much I want to give back. I round out my run with a stop at the columns. The place where it all began and as I stand there reveling in what has been before me I sigh with gratitude and elation for what is still to come. With perseverance, love, hard work and a lot of prayers, my columns have stood tall and have not crumbled, indeed the glory.