In the fall of 1984 I packed my things, left home, and moved into a college dorm. I fell in love with college life. I loved living in the dorm...there was always someone around if you didn't want to be alone, no matter what time of day. I was lucky enough to make some friends who lived in the dorm next to mine. As soon as there was an opening, I moved into that dorm...Schmidt Hall.
I spent all four years of college living in that dorm. I thought of moving into other dorms, but Schmidt was my home away from home. I never even really considered living off campus like many other college students. I was content in the dorm. When I got up early on Sunday morning, I had someone to watch wrestling with downstairs in the lobby. If I was bored, there was always someone doing something crazy like rearranging the lobby furniture into an architectural model. I went on a canoe trip with my dorm-mates. That's where I learned that you can brush your teeth and rinse with beer. I wouldn't advise that, but when you take more beer than water on an overnight canoe trip, you have to do something. I went with a group of dorm friends to King's Island to celebrate when one of our group turned 21. That same friend just recently turned 50.
Some of those dorm friends have been part of my life on a regular basis since those days. I have reconnected with many more of them through Facebook. We have been together in sickness and health, marriages and divorces. We have been together through the birth of our children. One of Delainey's most prized possessions, her blanket we call Mrs. Hannon, came from one of those friends...it was a roundabout connection through Schmidt, but the connection was there. We have watched our children grow and have seen a second generation attend (and graduate from) Ball State, although none have lived in Schmidt.
Why on earth would I be talking about my college dorm friends today? Well, many of them are gathering today for the Annual Race Party. The excuse for the party is the Indy 500, although it really is a side show. There is no cable or satellite tv, so watching the race is sketchy at best. After the race, there will be a rubber duck race or two in the river behind the hosts house. There will be lots of laughter, catching up, and reminiscing about our college days. Children will be playing, canoes and kayaks will be out, people will be eating and drinking and being merry.
And I won't be there. Again. I now live 4 hours from the party. Jim has to work. And this month has been crazy busy with so many things going on between school, church, and 4H activities. So, I will wait to see pictures and updates about the party on Facebook. I will be there in spirit, but not in body. I will start planning today to make it to the party next year and hope that life doesn't get so busy that once again I will miss the party.
No comments:
Post a Comment