Last First Day of School

Today is my last first day of school for the foreseeable future.  It makes a girl think about...

The future...
...I have no idea where I will be in a year.  I have some idea of where I want to be, but I've had lots of ideas in the past and on my first day of college I would never have guessed this is where I would be.  I am both nervous and excited.  I am nervous because I am a planner.  I am excited because I know whatever comes it is going to be good.  I struggle alot with God over who is in control of my life.  I make lots of plans, all with the best of intentions, but ultimately, I want to follow His plan more than my own.  I need to daily remind myself to let go of my well laid plans.

The present...
...I am a pretty lucky girl.  I have a family that loves me like crazy and friends that simultaneously support, join, and mock my tomfoolery.  Thanks guys!  I have to remind myself that the friendships that I make here don't have to end when my lease does.

The past...

...Looking back at the times when there were First-Day-of-School pictures, it strikes me I had no idea what would be quickly forgotten and what would have a lasting effect on my personality and they way I approach a situation.

P.S. That is my Kindergarten school picture!

I have changed in alot of ways, but I still have my long-curly hair, I still like to dream up the what-ifs, and I still love to a good book.

Grade school me would have guessed I would be alot of different things by now...a princess, a teacher, married, a world traveler, a professional photographer, or (for a very short stint in high school) a lawyer.  Never would I have said a graduate student, nine months from getting my Masters degree in Library Science.

I would be lying if I said I wouldn't change anything, but...for the most part...I like where I've been and I like where I am going.

*Deep Breath*  Here goes...I'm off to class.

Yours affectionately,
A.H.