Springing Forward

While the thought of getting up an hour earlier is physically painful (especially since babies don't wear watches), there's something about spring forward that excites me. I've been out of college almost twice as long as I was in, and every spring season brings me back fresh memories of the good ole' University of Illinois. I loved college, maybe even too much (pic of me Freshman year to the left). When I think back on it now, there are so many things I miss. Freedom. Sleeping in until 10 a.m. almost everyday, One World Cafe (where you could study and get movie popcorn for $0.25), Barndances, Sorority functions, jogging around Urbana and Champain (I ran the same square grid all 4 years), Gully's bar, little coffee shop, the smell sticky beer when walking past Kam's in the morning (it's like gasoline, you're not supposed to like the smell, but I just do), hanging out with John, drinking, spending hours talking with my girlfriends at Chili's eating chips and ranch. I think most of all, I miss the feeling of being in a town where every single person was on the same page as me, looking forward to the same things. We were all college students, all attending classes, hoping to graduate and get a good job or go on for grad school, but have some fun along the way. We all were in High School before and had the same spring break/winter break, same week for finals, same classes and most of all, everyone was pretty carefree.



Now, I live in a town with so many different people. Different ages, different goals, different stages of life. Even some of my friends and I are finding ourselves in different stages, and it makes me sad. I miss everyone being the same. I miss that carefree feeling of knowing that no matter how bad your day was, that you could find some people to ensure you that it didn't matter.


I've gone back to my old stomping grounds a few times. It wasn't the same. It almost made me feel like a ghost looking over my old life I've left behind or something. Even if I never left, it all would be different because it's the people I miss, and the people and life that change.



I'm not saying that I wish I could go back. I'm just trying to use this as a good reminder to enjoy my life now in the present because what it makes me see is that life is always changing. We're not guaranteed anything--not even tomorrow. And, even as much as it feels like it won't, this too shall pass. So, this spring. I'm going to spring forward into my life--just as it is. Enjoying each moment in the present and not waiting/wishing for things to be different.