Oxford, Day 24. July 21st. Our Last Day

Leaving Oxford was so hard. Everyone seemed a little out of it, not quite ready to accept the end. Like a kid on Christmas morning, I happily noticed that Cliff had found his package of goodies. He was giving out hugs and final parting pearls of kindness and wisdom as people sorrowfully started marching out of Blue Boar Building #1. It honestly felt like he was going to miss all of us - he even gave the group a book about Oxford. I was not ready to go yet, but there was nothing I could do but take each stubbornly slow setp down the stairs, my monstrous suitcase thumping dully with each one, and step through the door into the morning air. I walked through Tom Quad one last time before handing in my room key. (I was so happy that they let me keep my name tag!.....sorry, Kelly.) Christ Church really did feel like a home to me, and I couldn't tell you exactly why. I lived in California for 3 1/2 years and felt less attached to it than I did to Christ Church. There was just so much history; maybe the dust in the air does something to you, but I felt inspired and creative, grateful, hopeful, friendly and happy all in a very intense, different way than I had ever experienced. I'll miss it very much, but I know I have some pretty fantastic memories to cling onto.