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Fielder’s Choice
By Barry Burleson Battling dorm stairs Moving out wasn’t quite as difficult as moving in. Thursday,
I made the one-day, down-there-and-back trip to the University of
Southern Mississippi to help Emma and her roommate Crystal move out of
their dormitory. As freshmen, they were in
Mississippi Hall, next door to the football stadium. Next year they
will be in Scholarship Hall, across campus. So we brought her stuff home for the summer, while she works and makes some money, and come August we will take it back. It
seemed like yesterday that I was moving Emma in – yet that was nine
months ago. Like I said in last week’s column, time flies. Getting
all that stuff up the stairs last August to the second floor was tough
in the south Mississippi heat. But what was really tough then was
leaving her at USM after having her at home for 18 years. We’ve
adjusted somewhat, but Emma, I think, has adjusted even better. Moving
things down the stairs of Mississippi Hall last week, in very hot May
temperatures, gave me a thorough workout, too. My clothing was soaking
wet when finished. But it was easier knowing Emma was coming home for
the summer. We’ve missed her. The trip to and
from Hattiesburg takes about nine hours. I told Pam when Emma and I got
home about 10 Thursday night that I hope I won’t have to make it all in
one day again. I was exhausted. Of course, part of that can likely be
attributed to my “out of shape” condition and battling those stairs
with my arms full of clothes, books and so forth. Selecting
a college is not an easy process. High school graduations are taking
place this week, and 2010 graduates are making those choices. Mine, in large part, was based on finances. But the University of North Alabama turned out to be a perfect fit. And
to be honest, USM was not our daughter’s first choice. But after her
freshman year, it definitely appears to be the best choice. Personally, I’ve fallen in love with USM myself. Some have noticed that I ditched my “Roll Tide” tag on the front of my truck for one supporting the USM Golden Eagles. I will always love Alabama, but I figure USM is where my daughter and a good chunk of my money is going, so I’m a fan. Emma
enjoyed her freshman year at Southern Miss, and that made Dad and Mom
very happy, too. It was also challenging academically, which is very
important. One good thing about going away to college is meeting new friends. I had met several of Emma’s friends on previous trips to Hattiesburg. Plus, some visited our home this past school year. However, I found out last Thursday there were many more – some of who might be visiting Holly Springs this summer. There’s
nothing more special than a network of friends – from high school, to
college, to different jobs, and the different communities we live in. Our family is looking forward to the next couple of months and sharing some special time together. Hopefully,
it won’t be quite as difficult moving her back to Hattiesburg in August
for her sophomore year of college. Maybe that newer dormitory has an
elevator.
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