Homeward Bound

Just recently, I had made the biggest decision of my life. Let me just give you the background story first. In the beginning of April of this year, I was accepted to Valencia Community College here in Orlando, Florida. I was so thrilled to be continuing my education here! I love Florida immensely. However, things began to change. On May 4th, my dad informed me that we can no longer afford our home. With that little information, my spirits felt crushed. I truly consider Florida to be my home, neither New York or Connecticut. I asked my dad what was going to happen. He told me to wait and not to do anything just yet, regarding school. Okay, I thought. I can do that for another few weeks. 

A month went by. I asked him again what we were going to do. He said to wait it out longer. Um, okay? I guess another week couldn't hurt.

Another month, finally we're in July. I went to take the PERT for Valencia on my own because my dad was busy trying to find work. A week later, I got everything turned in and all I had to do was go for orientation and pick out my classes this Tuesday! I was so ecstatic to FINALLY start college to begin my history teacher career track.

But I started thinking back to what my dad's plans were. Here's where it gets a little crazy. He plans on finding a job in Connecticut in October. But what happens to me? Most of my friends are leaving here. I would have nowhere to stay for the rest of the semester. Plus, I can't transfer that late in the school year. The classes would already be filled. This means that I have to drop out and hope for the best in the Spring. I applied to two colleges in Connecticut as a back-up plan. I got accepted into the Liberal Arts and Social Science department at Gateway Community College for the Fall semester. Being as responsible as I am, I decided to embark to Connecticut. It's not my first plan, but it's still a plan. I can't stay here and have my dad worrying about me going to school AND finding a job. My life will be better this way. I have more of a chance on finding a good paying job, I'll already be meeting new people, and best of all I am very blessed and thankful that my Aunt and Uncle are willing to take me in for these next few years. I don't know what I would have done without their love and support. This Wednesday officially begins the start of my new life.

I've spent eight long and wonderful years here. But everyone has to move on at some point in life. And with that, I leave with a few parting quotes (to keep the emotional mood going):

Sunset and evening star,And one clear call for me!And may there be no moaning of the bar,When I put out to sea,But such a tide as moving seems asleep,Too full for sound and foam,When that which drew from out the boundless deepTurns again home.
Twilight and evening bell,And after that the dark!And may there be no sadness of farewell,When I embark;For tho' from out our bourne of Time and PlaceThe flood may bear me far,I hope to see my Pilot face to faceWhen I have crossed the bar. ~Lord Alfred Tennyson~

 In the quiet misty morning, when the moon has gone to bed,When the sparrows stop their singing and the sky is clear and red,When the summer's ceased its gleaming, when the corn is past its prime,When adventure's lost its meaning, I'll be homeward bound in time.Bind me not to the pasture. Chain me not to the plow.Set me free to find my calling and I'll return to you somehow.If you find it's me you're missing, if you're hoping I'll return,To your thought I'll soon be list'ning; in the road I'll stop and turn.Then the wind will set me racing as my journey nears its end,And the path I'll be retracing when I'm homeward bound again.Bind me not to the pasture. Chain me not to the plow.Set me free to find my calling and I'll return to you somehow.In the quiet misty morning when the moon has gone to bed,When the sparrows stop their singing, I'll be homeward bound again. ~Marta Keen~ 

It's okay to move on,
Allison