So all my paperwork and dorm selection and final travel arrangements and all that other college "stuff" is completely wrapped up, finished. The only thing that is keeping me from being in school is time--the time from now until classes start on the 26th.
I am so thrilled (and nervous) about this. I really do feel a new chapter beginning in my life, a chapter that, a couple years ago, I didn't believe could exist.
I have made a list of 10 things I want to do in the next year, and I am so excited just to be living.
I'll confess that my real reason for posting this isn't so much an update for people to read, though, but that I want to publicly offer sincere thanks to all the members here who have helped me in various ways along my way, but especially
- to Jerry Freeman for being so persistent, consistent, kind, and fatherly toward me. It was you, Jerry, who single-handedly taught me about showing restraint and not giving into the psychological "hooks" that people throw out. This has been a very powerful lesson in my life.
to Jim Stone for being generous with your time and resources (and friends' time and resources for that matter).
to Dale Wisely for being so gentle and non-combative towards me even when I tried to bite your head off a few times, and for being so extremely generous in so many ways--financial, theological, and psychological to name a few.
to Andrea (andreaz54) just for being a listening ear when I was going crazy. She doesn't post much so a lot of people here probably haven't even heard of her, but I have and it's been a blessing to know her through good times and bad.
to Walden for being such an awesomely kind and Christian friend who I can always talk to, and for being such a wealth of information and a person who feels like ma kin!
to Flyingcursor for being a normal person and for treating me like a normal person.
to ErikT, for helping me with a gift a couple years ago when I was in a really dark and confusing time. The generosity as well as the gift itself still affect me and always will.
to all the nightly and sometimes-nightly "chat-people" whose names I couldn't possibly remember. You all rock!
to Beth (avanutria) for pure inspiration. I think of you and your journey of life and college often. It lets me know that it can be done.
to TelegramSam for fighting with me about the cat then becoming a person I'm honored to call my friend. And for just being yourself and for your levelheadedness and fairness.
and above all to Jesus the Christ, for unconditionally loving me even though a lot of your followers seem to hate me and for holding me so firm when my life has been so shakey. Without a personal relationship with you I am convinced that I would now be dead or at the very least barely living.
THANK YOU ALL!