Back to School... At 27

I hadn’t realized how late it was getting. Fragrant water was still dripping from my mangled ringlets as I checked my phone for the time. 9:58. Thoughts of tardiness encouraged my next quick steps. I balanced myself on one foot as I applied my sock then the other, I repeated the same with my shoes but didn’t tie them.  Then to the bathroom where I gathered my toothbrush and checked myself in the mirror one last time. Clomping down the wooden staircase I intruded upon the sleeping vessel of my roommate on the couch, her blithe toddler beamed at me from the pile of toys, executing their job to pacify her.

I directed a question to the lazy basset hound snoozing in my favorite recliner, “You wanna go outside, Heen?” Not waiting for his answer I made a direct path to the back door to let him out. He slowly gathered his bones and hopped down to meet me. My goddaughter’s coos grew louder as she followed her furry friend past her sleeping mother and through the kitchen. I scooped our Punkinface into my arms just before she made it to the door. Clad in only a diaper, her skin was cool to my touch. Her fever had broken, but not before her mother and I had lost all hope of a good night’s sleep. She let out an exhausted whine before she surrendered her tiny head to my chest. I looked at clock by the stairs.

By the end of week one I was already tired and rushed. I exchanged my salary and title at the shop to “second semester, freshman” at Hollins University. One goal led my actions, I want to write.

I gave up the idea of going to a four year school years ago. I was getting further away from “college age” with every passing year and decided that if I went back it would be to the community college nearby or an online school. I didn’t want to go to school at all. I tried on a couple different occasions to take classes but I was never sure of what I wanted or why I was there. I knew I was intelligent, I knew I was a good writer. Did I really need to be formally educated?

I wrote, read and learned what I wanted, never considering myself a good student. I didn’t know anything about studying for test or doing homework.  I got by with gumption. My father taught me to ask questions and make educated guesses when I didn’t have time to find the answer. That’s how I have lived my life, until now; school demands accuracy, effort and all the extra time I can afford.

 Here I am, 10:05 on a Thursday morning, wearing the weight of every choice I have ever made on my chest.

I’ve made no other promises but to finish. I’ll make this one of the few things I’ve ever really committed to. I will use this as an opportunity to grow intellectually as well as in maturity. This time I’m all in and I know what for. I finally know what I want. Prayers and positive thoughts appreciated… let the adventures begin.