"Ah! Finally I will
graduate!" As this thought entered my mind, a deep sense of satisfaction
settled over me. It has taken much hard work, but it has been worth every
minute. At last, I was finishing my college work, and preparing for the
next phase of my life's span.
These past four years
having passed so fast, it seems only yesterday that my parents and I the
long drive deep into East Texas for me to be gin my college career. Those
first few days were very difficult. Being on my own, I had no one to turn
to. But as time passed, decisions became easier to make. Life took on a
new dimension. An entirely new world emerged. It had its ups and downs.
The word hardest to
learn was self-discipline. Working and going to college required a rigorous
schedule, leaving little free time. There was always studying that had
to be done. Yet, sometimes interruptions broke in.
Once, as I was studying
in my room, someone lightly tapped on my door as if he were trying hard
not to be heard. When I opened the door, Stanley rushed in the room, quickly
closing the door behind him.
"You've got to hide me!
I'm in trouble! If those guys ever catch me, they will. murder me!
"Slow down, fellow. What
is the matter?"
"Sit down, so I can tell
you. It started about an hour ago. A bunch of the fellows were in the TV
room, and had the window up. Joe and I decided to cool them off. So, we
got an old washtub and filled it about half full of water. Carefully, sneaking
up to the side of the dorm, we let them have it through the window. Everyone
in the room was soaked. Now they are after us, and we have got to hid out
until they cool off some."
Those next few days were
spent in nervous anxiety. If they found Stanley in my room, not only would
he get a working over, but there was no telling what would happen to my
room. Luckily, nothing happened and in about a week Stanley was able to
return to his room.
This was only one incident
of many. Something was always happening. During the spring semester, the
junior and senior high-school girls were having a slumber-party. About
a hundred of them decided to make a raid on the boys' dorm. Having advance
notice of their plans, we prepared to give them a warm welcome. The dorm
counselors had gone to a meeting, so we had complete rule over the dorm.
We filled every trash can we could find with water. After baiting about
thirty of then into the lobby, we let loose a barrage of water. Someone,
having hooked up a hose outside, soaked them as they withdrew. For about
an hour, the girls made passes at the dorm with water balloons, and we
fired back. But when the counselors came back this ended the escapade.
As I think back now, these
times have significant meaning. They were the delightful interludes between
long hours of hard work. But, now they are only memories that must fade
into the background. Yet, they stand reaching out as if to hold back graduation
day a little longer.
"You crazy guy!" I thought, "for
four years you have longed for this day, and now you dread its arrival."