Tuesday, January 20, 2009

The Rollins Crew...


As I witnessed this wonderful event today, thoughts tired me out. I reached out to what I consider my family, after all these years, and new thoughts entered my mind. This past Monday I had the opportunity to run into some Rollins College Students and as some of the ladies told me (though I'm not sure how they know this), it's still the same.

And you know what? I hope that's the case. As I prepare to be in Paul's wedding: Paul, who became my big brother freshman year and taught me the nuances of stress massages (thanks for volunteering Amir) and Star Trek Next Generation. As I call Robiaun in the middle of the day to get a word of advice: Robi, who pulled me in to her arms on that Fall day in 1992 while I walked around Mills Lawn stopping at the tables filled with activities and information. As I harass Ixchelle (apparently now that she's grown up she's no longer Shelley!) about sending me baby pictures: Shelley who I talked into getting a tattoo with me on October 27th, 1994, so that I wouldn't do it on my own. I can go on and on and on. All this to say, I hope that things are still the same.

We always speak of reconnecting. Always remember how things were for us day in and day out on a campus where we felt so isolated. But most importantly, most of us are still connected, forever. Through marriages, births, deaths and everything else in between. Because we will forever be the Rollins Crew...

© 2009

As I Watch


As I watch, I am in awe
As I watch, I am inspired
As I watch, I cannot believe
How succinctly life’s conspired

Words cannot describe this feeling
I do not know what I can say
To capture this moment in time
For my children to read one day

The anticipation growing in my heart
Feels as if it’s more than I can bear
History in the making, hope and pride
Acknowledgement that life is fair

And it is not about the color
Religion, race or creed
It’s about an assurance of better
And working for what we need

It is about my children having a world
Where anything is possible if they try
Though there are struggles left to conquer
These same rivers they will not cry

It is about uniting a country
That for so long has seemed so lost
Though we still have bridges to cross
It will be at a lesser cost

As I watch, I am in tears
As I watch, I surely pray
As I watch, God watches also
As He’s prepared us for this day.

© 2009