At Peace on College

It's so interesting to me that I am so at peace when on a college campus. Earlier in life, I thought it was just Northwestern's campus--where I went to school. It would make sense that I find peace and comfort there, considering my wonderful memories there. But I'm beginning to realize that I am most peaceful, most relaxed, and most "where I want to be", on any college campus. (I should qualify that--I do prefer mostly brick campuses with trees, flowers, and big lawns. :0) )

photo by Dan Heacock

I just returned to my hotel room in Lafayette, IN after wandering around Purdue University's campus for a while. Luckily, I blend in so no one bothers me.

I just feel so "right" when I'm walking around, on a beautiful evening, amongst college students. Sitting on a bench, admiring the incredibly well kept, old architecture, laying down by a waterfall and just being still.

I love being on a college campus.

And with this coinciding with my yearly "I want to make a difference for Christ in the lives of young 20 somethings" ranting, I'm finding it difficult to understand all of the yearnings inside of me.

It's just so strange to have such emotions for something, and a certain group of people, but have no idea what to do with it. And this isn't just a one time thing; it's consistently popped up in my life since graduating college.

Yet, I have very little to no desire to apply for a job at some college somewhere.

It's just like, I have this innate need to be on campuses, and this beginning of a flicker of a flame to perhaps maybe somewhat consider venturing into 20 something ministry.

But I don't know how.

Broncos Fever

Yesterday I had the privilege of attending my first Broncos football game--ever. Come to think of it, it was my first professional football experience as well.

Of course, I have a few things to say.

#1. A person really feels out of place at a Broncos game when not wearing any form of Broncos paraphernalia. However, I hate wearing orange, and I'm not even super fond of that particular shade of blue, so I wasn't feeling too sorry for myself. Maybe next time I'll just wear white; my pink shirt definitely stood out.

#2. As a pretty impartial observer (I don't really care about professional sports at all), I found the hoopla of it all fairly interesting. It would be fun to analyze all of the hype and try to better understand that crazed look in peoples' eyes when the mascot runs across the field. I think he looks silly, but apparently everyone else (i.e. Broncos fan) have some sort of incredible affinity for him.

#3. Ok, seriously--we wonder why these guys have egos? It's quite the spectacle just getting the players on the field. It's no wonder they think of themselves as pretty special. And I'm not saying they're not special (for all you sports nuts out there). I'm just making observations...

#4. Football is so much more exciting to watch than baseball. I never realized this before.

#5. I love my husband. Yes, this realization struck again. He was watching the cheerleaders and he said, "They all look so much alike ... they cancel each other out." Ha! Made my day.

#6. It's really easy to get caught up in the thrill of the game. Granted, the announcer said that yesterday's game was probably the most exciting one in Invesco's history thus far, but I also felt that even a dull game can draw people in and make them love football.

#7. I started the day as an impartial, slightly detached viewer. I moved into my usual position of observing, labeling, critiquing and analyzing. But, somehow, sometime, I crossed over. I may never purchase orange clothing, or get one of the "Broncos Country" bumper stickers, but I might just have had an awakening. Football is the quintessential American sport. It draws us together--no matter what our background, income, political views, ethnicity or status--and makes us a family. I now have a better appreciation for the American spectacle we all call football.