Well, I must say Friday unfolded beautifully! Although a stormy night, dawn arrived with the storms moving east and I was about to head west and south 170 miles. By the time I got on the road clear skies were visible on the horizon. Puffy clouds dissipated and stark blue skies of Autumn reigned supreme.
The drive was uneventful but pleasant and quiet. Rolling Illinois farmlands swept past my windows. As Galesburg approached, the hilly, creek filled landscape returned to my view and memory. I had forgotten what a beautiful area of the state Galesburg inhabited.
New roads and Interstates lengthened the drive by 20 miles but whisked us along at 75 miles an hour. I made the trip in 2 hours and 44 minutes, complete with unloading the car at the dorm, and parking the car.
Next followed an inspection of the new dorm room with all the stuff two young women can cram into it! Wow. They should pursue an engineering degree, primarily in the space industry. They managed to bring order from the chaos and it all made for a neat, tidy environment in which to live, study and survive the next four years.
Then we explored some of the old haunts of the campus, remembering what each of the facilities looked like in our day, and how lovely they now were with new function and design. Legacy photos were taken by the college. There were 26 of us involving 7 new students. Three generations of legacies were present. What fun!
Then to the Student Union and food. As remembered, the food was excellent (beef stroganoff), the camaraderie terrific, and the dining hall spinning with life and laughter. Just like the old days. That would be 58 years ago for me, 56 years ago for Ann. So much was different at the same time that so much was the same. The spirit of the students remains whole and similar to ours back in the 60’s. Hope was ever present. Curiosity, too.
Heartfelt wishes for a successful learning experience for grandaughter Lindsay soon were replaced with the tears of farewell. Those are two required emotions at times such as these. Happy tears. And for good cause.
Our memories of the old days are now refreshed with the new and the dramas of the next generation. All is good in the world of Knox College and Galesburg, Illinois. May the Knox Idea and Experience continue to sow brilliant new outcomes for the world’s benefit.
September 16, 2019
PS: This morning Lindsay starts classes. I wonder if she is excited or nervous or both? Probably both!
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