Last Class

Interestingly, the last class of my M.Div. seminary career occurred in the chapel basement, in a Ph.D. seminar room, in which I have never had a class. The water heater in our house broke yesterday afternoon, which meant I had to move classes around in order to be home for the installer/technician today. [Real life/home ownership keeps you humble and keeps your feet on the ground when your head is in the heavens....] I went to a different Bonhoeffer precept than usual, and enjoyed this room that was new to me, and capped off my M.Div experience in a nice way.

Last night were the senior banquet and the senior worship service. Both were nice. I sang with the senior choir in worship -- only about 13 of us. My whole family was present (husband and both kids), so that was a nice show of support.... Classmates were happy to see my family again, except for one friend who says she likes me more lately when my husband is not around. Lots of emotion in the service -- many students crying -- male and female. It's interesting, cuz it feels in some ways as if the students 20 years my junior are not grieving "appropriately" -- they don't seem to know they are leaving and they will probably not remain in contact with most of their current classmates. In other ways, the "youngsters" are much more in the moment (and more dramatic!) than I am -- it's an interesting dichotomy.

I'm thinking of my proposed Th.M. thesis and focusing on gaps in my seminary experience -- and gaps in my common experience with other human beings -- wonder if this is a new perspective for me, or if I have always separated myself from others. Hmmmmm. Th.M. applications are due May 1; I've submitted mine but will need to wait another few weeks to see if I've been accepted.... In some ways I think it is a rubber stamp process, but I am not sure....