Then and Now 4-6-06

Then and Now I realize that I am, by nature, quite nastalgic. So, going back to Cedarville, where I have so many wonderful memories, was quite the experience. Walking the halls and the common areas in the SSC was by far the most haunting experience. Everything there is exactly the same...Elliv awards are coming up and SGA has posters everywhere. The students all get to Chucks in droves at 10:58am after chapel gets out. There is still the mischallaneous couple that "hides" to get some private time and the girls who are clearly out "looking." I saw the regulars down at the game room and the food in the Hive still smells exactly as it did three years ago. But despite everything being the same, no PERSON is the same. I kept waiting to see someone I knew so we could stop and chat on the stairs or in front of Chucks. When I was a student I could not go more than five steps without saying hi...this time...there was no one. They are all in a club, and I do not belong anymore. I actually felt old being there. Seriously...I know that sounds stupid, but I felt like I looked like a mother, not a college student. Granted, I am a mom, not a college student...but most of the time I still don't really feel like I belong to the "mommy club." Anyway, it was great to be back, but it was sad too becuase it made me miss my friends in a fierce way. Jon and I have to go back in May for a wedding and there should be some of our friends there then...so that will be a better experience becuase it was my friends that made my time at Cedarville so memorable and so wonderful. I think I will always tout college as the most fun three years of my life. I did things I had never done before, met my best friends and husband, and had the time of my life. Ok, I have to say that being there with my parents also gave the trip a different type of feel It actually went very well. Landon did wonderfully in the car and had a wonderful time at the hotel. The only thing he really whined about was going swimming, which was fine becuase what kid is not excited about swimming at the hotel?! He sure loved it! I can report that on the car ride there and back and in between Landon exclaimed, "Mama, I saw a bird!" about thrity-nine times and eight times I heard, "Mama, I saw a bus!" Both of which he was very animated and excited about EACH time one was spotted. Other than the buses and birds we saw a lot of farm land :) and even got to experience yet another Cedarville tornado watch and storm. I felt right at home. I know that Landon had a wonderful time. He is still saying how much he wants to go wimming (swimming) and he obsessively talks about wanting to see Ma and Papa again. Thankfully, they are coming up on Thursday so at least I can tell him every three minutes when he asks that they are indeed coming in two days :) Thanks for letting us come on your road trip Aunt Brenn, Grandma and Papa. We had a great time!