Hey everyone!
Welcome back after another month-long hiatus. I promise I'll do my best to stop this from becoming routine...
In my past posts I told you all about Ethan's resignation from Miami and the memories that had been triggered being back in Oxford again after a fairly long absence. Well, I just got back from spending more than a week in a place where "I lived such a life." Let me tell you: nothing could have prepared me for the thrill/strangely unfamiliar feeling of returning for an extended period of time. I don't regret it in the least, but I know that Oxford has a certain gravitational pull...
[Sorry, I was distracted by the Magnolia Bakery Cookbook...]
Where was I? Oh, YES! Oxford's gravitational pull. I'm not saying that the planets align and and stars drop to Oxford at any given moment, but there is a certain truth to this quote from Dr. Shriver, former President of Miami University: "Not all roads lead to Oxford, but once you're here, you never want to leave." To me, Oxford represents the best of me. It is the place where I learned about self-actualization and, to some point, executed it.
For five years I was a student at the most gorgeous college campus EVER. Nothing beats the beauty of Oxford. Nothing beats the feeling you get when you realize you were blessed with good decision-making skills that allowed you choose Miami over all the other schools you could have gone to. My first year was pretty unremarkable, so we'll skip over that. But my second year was marked by starting my four year tenure with the Glee Club. For the remaining years I spent in Oxford, I proved to myself and those around me that I could do and be better than most people ever thought I could do.
Beginning last Saturday, I began my one-week return to Oxford. I lived in a frat house and Ethan's house. I ate at dining halls. I walked across the campus at odd times and reminisced with myself over all the walks I'd taken over the years, all the conversations I had whilst talking (with myself or with others). I saw people I hadn't seen in a few years. I got back to a level of comfort in myself. I was busy. I was frantic. I was ready to tackle whatever I needed to do. All the while, I was concentrating on making a few events worthwhile for Ethan: his last Banquet with Glee Club and his final concerts as Conductor. Thankfully, and in short form, both went very well.
For me, the real treat was getting to feel like I was back in Club. I went to rehearsals and observed a candidate to replace Ethan next year and gave out advice for Officer election speeches. I was being me. It felt great.
My week in Oxford started out with attending the Cheezies concert in Kumler Chapel. This marked my friend Jason's last concert with the group, as well as my buddy Nicky's. For some reason I never fail to shed a tear or two watching/listening to concerts that I use to be a part of. I could picture myself up there with the guys, singing, dancing, making a fool of myself, and loving every single second of it. Kudos to you, Cheezies! Damn good concert! I've listening to "Falling Slowly" from ONCE more times than I care to admit over the last week. (I'm currently listening to it as I write this very sentence.)
Banquet was Monday and everything was awesome with that. I spent most of my day helping Miles prepare the meal and I lost count of how many scallops I wrapped in bacon. To make matters worse, I didn't even get to have one. By the time I got out of there, showered, shaved, changed, and got back to the church, the meal was already underway and the hor d'oeuvres were all gone. It's all good. The meal was unbelievable and I had the distinct pleasure of enjoying dinner conversation with a "young man" in the group named Dennis. This gentlemen joined the group in the fall of 2008 and has taken on quite the role of respected elder. Dennis, thank you for simply being the person you are and taking such good care of my guys!
The main event of Banquet is the presentation of the Scott Alexander Memorial Award for Outstanding Achievement. This year's presentation was particularly special because our resident historian Kevin took the time to "find Scott Alexander". What he found is at the end of this post in video form. It's a powerful story that reminded me of how remarkable an honor it is to receive this award. Like so many in the room when this video premiered at banquet last Monday, I was moved to tears. Thereafter, my good friend Andrew took the podium to present this year's award. Unlike everyone else in the room, I already knew who was going to be hearing his name called. In the most unlikely twist of fate, the votes for this year's award ended in a tie with two very worthy individuals being recognized: Jason and Nicky. These two truly represent what it means to be a Clubber and have done such since the minute they entered the group four years ago. It's fitting that they jointly share this honor as it has become extremely evident that they are virtually the same person; or at least the yin to the other's yang. Congratulations, Jason and Nicky! This is an honor you both truly deserve.
The rest of the week was spent getting tasks in order for the concerts. Alumni had been contacted. Plans had been made. More plans were put into motion. Songs needed to be memorized. And since I was involved, cookies were baked. Aside from the fact that I wouldn't have missed Ethan's last concert if I were dying, I was looking forward to seeing some very familiar faces from my past in Oxford. There are too many names and faces going through my head right now, but if any of you are reading this, I could not have been more happy to see any of you there. I know it meant a lot to Ethan and, for that, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
The concerts were a great success and I felt so at home sitting there in Hall Auditorium in the middle of beautiful Oxford, OH, with some of my closest friends sitting within an ear shot. Of particular note is the young man sitting right next to me, Chris. Such a great friend and someone that made my day better by just walking in the room. More fun at Alumni Weekend!
Anyway, the whole week made me nostalgic and, of course, brought back those feelings of how I imagine my life if I had taken a teaching job instead of moving out here. Then, without fail, my best friend Ethan stepped in and offered his advice: "No, you're doing what you're supposed to be doing. Teaching will always be there for you. Take the time to do this and do it right." (I'm paraphrasing, of course. I couldn't remember exactly what he said from our conversation over a bottle of wine...) I'm no expert, but I'm pretty sure that's the kind of guy you give up a week and a half of work to see.
Ethan, I don't even know if you read this, but you changed my life and I know I'm not the only one. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I most definitely wouldn't be where I am, if it weren't for you.
Happy Adventures!
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