Those Treasured Fall Days

 

I came across this photo recently and it brings back certain memories. It was mid October 2011 and my sisters and I were having fun snapping photos of each other in the Fall air. It was a glorious autumn Sunday and my dear sister had moved back home and my other sweet sister was visiting from college. I had recently started my first semester of Junior College. I felt the newness and hardness of navigating school in every where, especially when it came to friends and forming connections. 

What made that part of the semester a bit more enjoyable was having my dear sister with me on campus as she was taking a Spanish night class. A few times, I remember meeting up with her on campus, as she would come to the campus earlier before one of my classes and we would have lunch together and talk. That was a real treat!

The next day after this photo was taken, her and I had some time together in the mid morning before one of my classes. We were chatting about majors and jobs that could pertain to it. She initially gave me the idea of English to major in or creative writing and gave some good sisterly advice of doing more research about some jobs/careers associated with it. I also recall her driving me to school a number of times on Wednesdays, her day off from her job at Kumon. Those car rides were a nice alternative to the bus ride and a chance to have some more time together during her day off. 

I also remember a time when she bought me lunch and brought it to school. She had went to the Mall before hand and bought herself a fashionable blazer like cardigan, similar to a style she liked. It was always refreshing and enjoyable to spend time together as I was adjusting. I stayed later one time before her evening Spanish class started and we were talking in the library. She was talking and researching jobs about flight attendants. It was inspiring hearing about her ideas, as she was a newly college graduate and I was just dipping my toes into the thrills and novelty of it all. 

Over time, that first semester became easier and more enjoyable. I do remember a lot of pain of feeling alone navigating my classes and transitioning to a new campus with a new and longer bus route (those bus rides became a time of reflection, reading and connecting with other students). Those months would eventually become a bit easier and more enjoyable as I met more people,  got involved on campus. I would start feeling more connected and part of my school, making connections and friends.

I do treasure those Fall days because they allowed for creativity and a depth to shine through unlike I had experienced prior. I remember missing some memories from high school and my small friend group, as well as the less rigorous work load and content in some classes. But there were many good things that happened during that time, (like creating my first blog- another idea from my sister!) 

These October days have a special feel too, and 10 years ago is something to behold and be grateful for. A lot of growth and realizations, but also a lot of the same as God has guided me through.