Wandering down the aisles of the library, searching for the perfect spot to unpack her many books and settle down to work on her research, Eliza felt the all-too-familiar cloak of loneliness begin to drape itself around her shoulders She had loved the world of academia for some years now but recently found herself accompanied by this unwelcome companion. Family and friends seemed millions of miles away though they were only an hour from the university. Excelling in her area of study, Eliza had become a favorite of the professors in her school as well as the undergraduate students who came to her study sessions. From her office window, she could see the beautiful, old, red brick buildings reaching towards the sky. Students gathered in groups or ambled through the walkways occasionally interrupted by scampering squirrels or chattering blue jays. Eliza had loved the location of her office though sharing it with others had posed some challenges. Halfway through this Fall semester something happened to alter her experience. She couldn't quite put her finger on it, but something happened none-the-less. She was reminded of her mother's old photographs in the top drawer of an old chest at home that were salvaged from a flood, some images blurred while others imprinted on top of others altering the pictures. Turning the pages of a book, she suddenly realized she hadn't really read a word since she opened the cover. What she did "read" led her to a new decision. Closing the book, packing all her materials back into her bag and meandering through the once-cozy library and out into the sunshine, Eliza headed for the highway and that hour drive home to tell Sam the coveted degree would have to be put on hold. The cloak of loneliness would have to find some other poor soul to wrap itself around. She would return to her beloved campus, studies, professors, students and accolades, but for now, her garden begged for attention, Charlie and Sly pleaded to go to the dog park, her family would miss her no more for movie nights and she and Sam would get to know each other all over again. It was going to be a good year.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
The Student
Wandering down the aisles of the library, searching for the perfect spot to unpack her many books and settle down to work on her research, Eliza felt the all-too-familiar cloak of loneliness begin to drape itself around her shoulders She had loved the world of academia for some years now but recently found herself accompanied by this unwelcome companion. Family and friends seemed millions of miles away though they were only an hour from the university. Excelling in her area of study, Eliza had become a favorite of the professors in her school as well as the undergraduate students who came to her study sessions. From her office window, she could see the beautiful, old, red brick buildings reaching towards the sky. Students gathered in groups or ambled through the walkways occasionally interrupted by scampering squirrels or chattering blue jays. Eliza had loved the location of her office though sharing it with others had posed some challenges. Halfway through this Fall semester something happened to alter her experience. She couldn't quite put her finger on it, but something happened none-the-less. She was reminded of her mother's old photographs in the top drawer of an old chest at home that were salvaged from a flood, some images blurred while others imprinted on top of others altering the pictures. Turning the pages of a book, she suddenly realized she hadn't really read a word since she opened the cover. What she did "read" led her to a new decision. Closing the book, packing all her materials back into her bag and meandering through the once-cozy library and out into the sunshine, Eliza headed for the highway and that hour drive home to tell Sam the coveted degree would have to be put on hold. The cloak of loneliness would have to find some other poor soul to wrap itself around. She would return to her beloved campus, studies, professors, students and accolades, but for now, her garden begged for attention, Charlie and Sly pleaded to go to the dog park, her family would miss her no more for movie nights and she and Sam would get to know each other all over again. It was going to be a good year.
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