When my editor told me that he was giving me a spot in the last issue of this paper for the semester, he said it would be my ‘swan song.” At that moment it hit me. I will never write another column for the Crite again. My career as a college opinion columnist is over.
For two years, I have shared my thoughts on what I was thinking. Writing has been therapeutic at times. I have written about issues that involve my children and the world they are growing up in, as well as being able to say goodbye to a friend who committed suicide. Writing a column taught me about myself and made me realize how much I love writing.
This past year I have had two opinions editors. I call them the ‘Mysterious Wyoming Duo.’ After eight months of having him edit my column, I finally met Matt just a few weeks ago, but Levi is still a face on a milk carton. All communication has always been with email, Facebook or text messages. I always felt like I was a secret agent, waiting for my next mission. I thank them for giving me the opportunity to either impress the hell out of them or make them question my thought process. It has been a pleasure.
Many stories have been about my two children, Alek and Alexis. When I first started writing columns, my daughter was only six months old, her brother three years old and graduation seemed too far away to ever imagine. Now, my son will be graduating from preschool, my daughter is no longer a baby, and I will be a college grad.
I have met some incredible people. From teachers to fellow students, it has been a remarkable and amazing trip. A lot has happened to me these past four years, and I have been blessed to have had some very supportive people surrounding me. My husband was not pleased that I wanted to go back to school, the financial hardship it would bring was enough to make him panic. But he has always been there cheering me on. Even with this semester, the semester otherwise known as the ‘Dark Ages’ at my house, he still makes me feel like I can do anything. I can honestly say that my marriage has been put on the backburner while I try to finish school and raise our children, but I am grateful that we are still in this together.
The other day my sister asked if I had any advice for her.  She is going into her second year here. I told her: never put off taking a class you hate, get it over in the beginning; double check your own credits, your graduation date depends on it; being the perfect mother, wife, employee and student is impossible- sooner or later something or someone will be neglected, you can’t be 100 percent all of the time and that’s OK. Just breathe and take a time out.
I want to thank all of you who have shared your stories with me, as well. To the bravest girl I’ve met, who battled cancer and still finished her finals, the soccer star who never made me feel to old to share stories of my kids, the women who told me of their fairy tale engagements and how God will always come first, and to the best rat-loving partner a girl could have. And here’s to all the other fascinating talented folks in my department- keep the Facebook “isms,” snapshots of apparel, and quotes straight from class of certain professors coming. A certain well-known professor says it best. “Damn Skippy.” I will miss you all.
u
vgross@mesastate.edu