Since the fall of 1993, there has always been a Feliciano sister attending the University of Illinois. I started in 1993, ended in 1997, Claudine started in 1996, ended in 2000, Fatima started in 1998, and finished up yesterday. An era has ended. And my father breathes a sigh of relief. No more three hour drives through cornfields. No more moving in the daughter to a new apartment. No more bounced checks. No more calling your daughter at school and 1 in the morning, and she doesn't answer. No more 3 hour fashion shows he has to attend.

But for, an era has ended. I loved Urbana, and even after graduating, I had a reason to return and relive my college experience through my sisters. Of course, as time went on, I felt older and older, and more out of place, but still. It was home for me. But now, I have no reason to go back. I'll miss it.

And so, with that, I want to congratulate Fatima on graduating from the University of Illinois, with a Bachelor of the Arts in Psychology. Hope that degree does you more good than it did me, little sister. We're all proud of you! I'm really happy to have you back home.

It was a pretty long day, waking up way early, driving to Urbana, going to the graduation, then driving back home. Thanks to Mel for keeping me awake while we were going there, and thanks to her again, for what she did on the way home. No, we weren't in deep conversation. Actually, I think she was in a deep sleep. But knowing that if I crashed the car, I would be taking her own life as well as my own was enough to keep me awake. Most of the time, anyway.

And also, I did my part to save a life today. While talking to Fatima on the phone as I was driving, a opossum skittered across the road, right in the path of my car. I swerved a bit, gently hunked my horn, and the lil critter turned and ran the other way. I had seen enough carcasses on the road today - I didn't want to create a fatality. I want to give life, not take it away!

Posted by Yano at May 19, 2003 01:56 AM

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