Perspectives

It is long past time for me to write something about the events that have greatly affected our nation in the last two weeks. The need for repetition escapes me; many things have already been said and most need not be repeated. But of all the things said, the most necessary is “Lord, have mercy.” Despite the tragedy and loss, terror and pain, despite all our efforts to rebuild and restore, God is the ultimate healer, re-builder, and restorer. Our labors pale in comparison to His.
As much as I try to ignore it, to laugh over it, to change the channel, to escape the gnawing feelings that are steadily arising, I cannot. I face them, slowly, at as tolerable a pace as possible, at a pace that will allow me to arrest the flow of tears. What am I doing in my life right now? Preparing for school in Paris; complaining because many of my peers have already been in class for weeks and I’m bored; but what about Dillard University, Tulane and the others? What about the freshman that excelled through high school despite the odds and gained prized entry into the school of his first choice; the student that finally completed the application process, secured scholarships and moved into her first home away from home? What becomes of their education? They must begin again. Their plans drastically halted; their dreams deferred. We must not forget the young man or woman whose entry into the realm of higher education serves a monument to the family name. They are the first to go to college (Yes, despite years and years of “freedom” there are still families in the United States in which the present generation is the first to break through the ambiguous barriers of socioeconomic status into post-secondary education.) Those students may possibly lose a year of education, which, for some is a momentous setback from which they may or may not recover.
And yet, I’m worried about being adequately sociable at a “Bon Voyage” party; I’m worried about separation anxiety in a temporarily long distance relationship; I’m worried about surviving in Paris miles and miles away from the people I love but at the very least I’ll know, God willing, that they will still be here where I left them.

Une Soiree

Since my last entry, I am happy to report that the pace of my mental meltdown is slowing dramatically, courtesy of my new notebook pc, which keeps me adequately entertained.
We’re getting ready for the Bon Voyage party this weekend. Hopefully people will come…just kidding. It’s been years since I’ve attended a party that was actually for me. My last birthday party was at least 11 years ago and I was not cognizant of my social anxieties then. It will be just a bit strange to be the guest of honor. I’ve been trying to decide how to deal with this event for weeks now. Someone suggested that I should just be “sick” that day but I’m sure that wouldn’t work. Besides, I actually want to be there, I just don’t want to have to deal with being the center of attention; although, I don’t think that my personality is such that will place me at the center of attention naturally but rather the purpose of the party itself may keep me somewhere near its nucleus…