Capital "R"

Today is Thursday and I'm feeling like it's the last day before the next chapter of my life. Tomorrow I will be helping Joe Blanchard, my boss at CCF and friend from college, move into his new home with his wife Lindsey. On Saturday I'm going to be on campus at State helping the freshmen move in. Starting next week I'm on whatever regular schedule my regular schedule ends up being. This is exciting.

One last note on Caswell. I left the gates for the last time on Tuesday. Strangely enough, it wasn't the saddest parting I've ever experienced at the end of a summer - I think I'm just happy to have something other than school ahead of me for once. We had a service on the pier that was almost dreamlike. I'm not sure the sun has ever played more beautifully across the inlet before. While talking to some staffers later I joked that it was God's way of saying "good job" to us for the summers work. I'm not sure if he's actually pleased, but I sure hope so.

From there I thought I was going to Wilmington to spend the night with my good friend Jacob Jackson, but upon phoning him just before the bridge I discovered he was in Tennessee on a mission trip. Luckily, I had already made arrangements with my old roommate, Jefe. We hung out, ate mexican, visited Bryan, and burned tobacco on his deck. In short: it was just like old times. I woke up yesterday morning and began the rainy voyage home.

Coming into Four Oaks and not knowing when I will leave again is a bit surreal. Obviously I'll be bouncing around in Raleigh from place to place, but Four Oaks will be my "official home" for who knows how long. I went straight to my Dad's office, because I knew he would more than likely be there. He was. I was greeted with his wonderful fatherly hug and I felt at home again instantly. My diploma had come in at some point over the summer and we set about framing it in his conference room. Now it hangs on the wall in my bedroom. I just look at it sometimes. I visited Elizabeth and my nephew Ryan yesterday afternoon, but Ryan was passed out hard the entire time I was there. I'm sure there will be other opportunities to play with him in the very near future.

Mom wants me to clean out my room, so thats what I'll be spending the rest of the day doing. I suppose I owe them at least that much for putting a roof over my head. Looking out the window at the old pecan trees that surround my house and not knowing what the next week will bring is a fantastic feeling. It's good to be home.