Almost gone

I'm wrapping things up before I leave the country. I had to apply for a graduation waver. To graduate, you are required to have your last 30 credits in residence at the U. I am, of course, not going to be here for that. So, I have been working on that, as well as finish school. I've started on my list of things to be done before I leave. The fence is fixed, the adapters for my plugs are bought, as well as school clothes both for myself and the kids. It is surreal to be planning putting relationships on hold, and having to bookmark where I am now in the world in order to check out for a year. The rest of the world will keep turning in my absence, and I will not be a part of that. In some senses, if there is an afterlife, I would imagine this is what our departed loved one's feel if they float around long after we think them gone. Of course, they will not return, and I will still have that chance. I am very much going to miss the lives I am temporarily stepping out of. Sadly, I suspect some of those relationships will not survive my trip. My last semester at the University of Utah ends here in about two weeks. It's bitter sweet to be coming to an end of this very long chapter of my life. At 34 years old, I'm finally going to be a grown up and graduate, and start graduate school.