Homecoming

This weekend was PBU's Homecoming, or Crimson Celebration if you're really into school spirit. I am not, so I will stick with Homecoming.  I have to admit, I have never attended Homecoming as a student. It would have interfered with said lack of school spirit. But, as I now fall into the "Alumni" category, I felt it was time for me to break tradition. A Social Work event also piqued my interest to return. Ok, basically it was the only reason I decided to return. 

So, off I went, back to familiar territory. 

It almost felt normal, going back. Like, I had never graduated, and I was waiting for summer to end so the fall semester could begin, with me included. School has been the only thing I've known for most of my life, and I haven't quite left the transition stage yet. But please don't get me wrong, there's nothing more I enjoy than NOT doing homework. 

As soon as I walked into the Biblical Learning Center aka classrooms, I was greeted by a familiar scent: the smell of college, quite literally. It's strange how different places and buildings can have different smells, isn't it?

Anyway, the Social Work event was held in the lecture hall, where our SW chapels are held. As soon as I took my usual seat in the 2nd row to the front on the right side, I felt like I was attending a SW chapel, sitting next to my friends whom I graduated with. It was so good seeing everyone. There were 9 of us, representing the May '09 class. 

Possibly my least favorite part of the event was when we were asked to go around the lecture hall and stand, introducing ourselves, our graduation date, and the scariest question of all... what we've been doing since. 

Though I was sitting next to a couple of friends who are also in my current employment predicament, I was the first to stand. So, I stood, introduced myself, and said with a smile, "I'm still waiting on the right job." I was so very thankful to sit down. 

Afterwards, my friends and I mingled and caught each other up on the latest happenings of our lives. Marriages, grad school, employment. Unemployment. 

Because we never seem to have a party without an after party, we continued the festivities of our reunion in Allyson's home. Five of us girls, plus a husband and boyfriend, spent a few hours talking. And boy, did we talk. We covered almost every area of the conversational spectrum, with a Social Work focus, of course. It was so encouraging to be with like-minded friends, realizing that I'm not alone in the thoughts and frustrations that fill my mind. 

I admit, since graduation, nearly 5 months ago, I have nearly forgotten how much I love and appreciate the friendships created in the PBU Social Work class of '09. For the past few years, these people have been my rock, my family away from home. Being with them on Saturday awakened me to the realization that I really do miss the fellowship and community found with them. Though we all come from different backgrounds and have different personality quirks, we all love God and want to see the relief of social injustice globally. We've been through the process together. We've cried and laughed together. And not to pull the Social Work card, but there is a greater level of understanding that comes from traveling that educational path together. 

So hopefully it won't be another 5 months before we see each other again. Hopefully it will be much sooner. I need them in my life.