The Rose

A LETTER TO YOU, THE READER, SO THAT YOU CAN FINALLY FIGURE OUT WHAT I’M THINKING.

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THIS MONTH: The In-Between

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Dear Reader(s),

The picture above is of our family dog, Ginger. When I took this picture in March, I was really surprised at how well it turned out; however, I was also struck by the expression on her face. Cute, yes, but this is Ginger’s “annoyed” face. She was annoyed at me for making her pose so I could take her picture, because she hates posing for pictures. That’s because, for Ginger, there’s always some more interesting, less boring thing to do (like taking naps or barking at the neighbors) besides getting her picture taken. For her, this photo- op is the in-between.

For me, life is a lot like Ginger’s photo-op right now. I can attest that the rumor is true: life does go on after school is over. I say this because I’ve been taking summer classes for the past two summers and working simultaneously; therefore, actually being done with classes and having nothing I have to do besides chill out is a relatively new phenomena for me. People actually do that? Chill out? Absurd!

And so, my life goes on. But, I mean, I’m keeping myself busy. It feels so weird to say that I’m doing things now that were low priority during the school year, but are still necessary to be done. For instance, I’m quilting and blogging again. I’m actually conversing with my family and finally feel like I fit in with them. I’m getting a hair cut. I’m going out to dinner, to Nathan’s soccer games, and shopping. I’m swimming again. All these things are healthy for me to do right now because they have been in sore neglect. And, I can say that I enjoy doing them, especially because I believe that achieving these things will prepare me to become a more wholesome, satisfied individual in the future.

But, it’s more than just having comparatively little to do this month. It’s also preparing for the next big phase in my life, evidenced by the fact that I’m now done with my associate’s degree at O.C.C. In fact, I just got my grades yesterday, and I passed all of my classes- two A’s and a C. I’ll be getting my degree in the mail in a couple of weeks. And, of course, now that O.C.C. is over, the only thing to do now is to move forward; therefore, I’m taking small steps like contacting Oakland University to gather information, to send important documents, and to set up important appointments. I’ll be attending orientation there possibly on May 19th or on June 8th.

Neverthless, I need to return to Ginger again. The in-between is also slightly boring and slightly annoying. It’s as if you’re made to sit there, still as ever, and wait out the doldrum of getting your picture taken while the other “dogs” out there are running, playing, barking, sniffing, eating, and sleeping. But, you make the best of it, because you are a good, obedient dog who wants to please their master. Of course, you are speechless, but that doesn’t stop you from silently expressing your true feelings: the in-between, I think, is an absurd, anxious waiting game.

Yet, I’m starting to believe that the in-between is a necessary evil. After all, you have to cross the bridge to get to the other side, don’t you? And, even when you get to the other side, there’s always another bridge to cross there. But, if you just stand there, boredly staring at the water, you’re never going to get anywhere. Unfortunately, real fairy godmothers don’t exist in this world; the magic is in God’s hands, not ours. And, furthermore, if I don’t prepare for my next step, I’m bound to fail at completing it. I will most certainly become overwhelmed and despair! So, the key, I believe, is what I do with this in-between.

One thing I can say for sure is that I will be blogging, so I beg you to read what I have written. I am wary of your lives, dear friends, but, please, converse with mine! Even if my writing doesn’t make sense to you, I do try to provide explanations of my work on the website. For instance, a description of “Awaiting Her Final Grades” is now available on the Ad Lib homepage. Also, on a sidenote, I’m pleased to say the The Rose is now officially featuring Typekit fonts, purchased as of today. I put so much effort into maintaining this blog, into caring about my writing, that I desperately hope you do to. In the words of Julie and Julia: Are you listening, anyone?

In the end, the photo-op of Ginger was relatively quick and painless. Yes, she did have to pose, but it was over in five minutes or less. This month is only a blip in my lifetime, and the hours of this month do not stand still. Yes, they may, at times, feel longer, but it is up to me to revel in them, even to make them feel shorter. After the picture, Ginger happily went and slept in her corner for another two hours, happy as a dog could be. Let’s say that’s me in about a month or so. Let’s say that’s me. 🙂

Take care! I love you all! Happy May- day to you! (Can anybody attest to how cold it’s been this month so far? Like in the 40s? Phew! Global warming indeed!)

Sincerely, Your Author,

Jessica McLean