Sunny Days

Today is May 18th and it is the first time that I have eaten lunch outside - alone - since November. I remember how last fall I used to do whatever it took to come and eat outside. If it was 50 degrees out, windy and cold - I still bundled up and ate outside until finally it was too cold to bear it anymore.

I was unhappy then, and was more alone than I had ever felt before in my life. However, part of me wanted the solitude and actually yearned for that one hour at lunch where I could get out of my cave of an office and see the light of day. I knew that I needed that hour - that I needed to get outside - that somehow being outside made me happier, even if it did mean that I had to eat alone.

But then I was offered a new position at work which required me to move throughout campus during the day. And all of a sudden I was interacting with lots of people - naughty freshman, funny employees and sweet co-workers - my days were jam packed with meetings and tight schedules, and that, combined with the start of spring (along with some other factors) helped to pull me out of my sadness.

And so now here I am, months later, enjoying my first outdoor lunch of the spring and I am loving it. It is peaceful and sunny and warm and unlike last fall, I am truly enjoying this moment of solitude to be able to reflect on this past school year and see how much has changed. The beat truly does go on.....