Laura’s dorm room cubby
After getting into Moscow, three hundred miles from home, I arranged to visit my daughter Laura at Washington State University. I’d wanted to join her for dinner but scheduling was off so we toured her dorm and nearby cafeteria.
I have been asked a couple times in the last month how I feel about Laura leaving home. It seems a mournful answer is expected but Laura leaving, going between homes, is something I long ago had to accept. I remember missing the “little bean” desperately. I miss her again but it is different. She is smart, confident and sensible and I am much more glad for her than worried.
“What is different about college from what you expected?” I asked her as we were walking back from the cafeteria.
“How easy it is,” she answered with typical confidence. After a pause: “How easy it is to live here, I mean. The people are all nice …”
“I guess the bullies didn’t make it to college,” I interjected.
“Yeah,” she laughed before explaining how close she’s already become with her room and floor-mates.