The Night Before

So, it is the night before I leave for Spain. Hard to believe, impossible to process at the moment.

First, a quick recap of break. It went by really quickly (too much so) and I got to see a lot of my friends, but I missed seeing a few that I really wanted to visit. On a lighter note, I did get to see Chalmers for an unusually large amount of time, which was a highlight. I also got to spend a night with Phil up in Greensboro, which was a great time with a great guy, despite getting punked at a Mexican restaurant. Hint: NEVER TRUST $1 TACOS; THEY WILL BE TINY. They were shrimp tacos--not to the extent that they had shrimp in them. They were shrimps of tacos. [No bitterness or anything; we just got an entree afterward. It was solid. But those tacos, man, let me tell you: Punked.]

Nevertheless, break was a good time with family and friends, old and new. Last night I spent time with both, as I visited with Michelle and met her boyfriend; I was really happy for them both from what I saw. Great people.

I guess the most prominent event that happened over break was Jan 7th. Scott and I were going to hang out in Charlotte and watch the Bama-TX game at my house. I invited several other people, but nobody confirmed, so I just figured it was Scott. Lo and behold, we meet up at the arranged time for dinner and there stands Scott at Portofino's with 8 of my close friends from UNC. I really can't express how appreciated that made me feel and how much I will treasure that time for years to come. I have never really felt as loved by a group of friends as I did that night. I usually don't place much stock in feelings, but that was something special, and I am so grateful for all of the amazing people that put in the time to make it happen. That was one of the best times of my life.

What I think can be taken away from this is that even the small efforts we make for others' benefit can really mean something. In a world that in which reality, purpose, and significance are elusive, the slightest gestures of appreciation, compassion, or self-sacrifice can have an impact. When we stop being consumed by selfishness and look for opportunities to reach out, who can see a limit? If my close friends had such an impact on me from a simple farewell visit, who is to say that my self-sacrifice will not have a similar impact on others?

Tomorrow I leave for Sevilla. I don't know what to say.

To all the friends that made this break special: Thanks. You are blessed in my heart. I will miss you dearly.

Vamos!