They Call Me One of Their Own

Midterm break has been truly beautiful and it's hard to pinpoint exactly why. I was trying to convey why it's meant so much to me when I said goodbye to Heather tonight, and I said that this has been the best break thus far. First of all, it's most definitely the break that I've felt I needed the most. Midterm break last semester was awesome, but in very different ways. And Christmas was a God-send, but it ended up feeling more like I had moved home and the magic of reunion didn't last the whole time. But midterm has been a few days of constant and satisfying love.

We had a girls' night yesterday, and in all my years of being best friends with these people, I don't think I've ever enjoyed myself more. My first reaction when I think about our changing lives is a bit of sadness that I can't do more to keep us together. But for a moment last night, I almost thought that this was better. Petty annoyances and issues are all but forgotten about when you only get to see someone once a semester. As we all start to find our own ways, we'll always share a common past that no new friendships could ever surpass or replace.

And a quote I once heard at a story reading comes to mind when I think about our changing lives. " . . . and I learned to treasure these things in my heart, not bruised or broken, but simply there."