Spring is here - and Austin is growing more beautiful with every day. The weather is perfect today for a leisurely lunch outside. From my seat on the patio furniture at Panera, I am enjoying the breeze and the view. The vibrant green leaves - newly sprouted on the tree branches - stand boldly against the brilliant, cloudless blue sky. Life is good.
My time in Austin has been nice so far. The transition is eased with my friend/roommate Susan’s help, and I am loving my job. I’ve met some great friends, explored the city a bit, and learned my way around the various streets. Things are alright, but it is still not my home.
I attended yet another church today - this time, with friends - and am more drawn to this congregation than to the other two I have experienced. In the search for a church home, it is easy to become discouraged - especially when I have wonderful memories and a strong connection to my last church home in Miami. I try to remind myself that it took a long of time to find my fit there, too, but that does not change the fact that I still do not feel at home. Although I have been somewhat discouraged lately, today has brought me hope.
A handful of other people felt drawn to Panera’s patio today, and I overheard a glimpse of two conversations that brightened my mood.
When I first took my seat, a couple shared a table beside mine, and talked about their apprehension to finish college in the upcoming weeks, and begin the job search. They shared their end-of-semester frustrations with finals quickly approaching, and talked with excitement and hesitation about their pending start in ‘the real world’.
“I’m going to finish my thesis this week, and finally start the job search. I’ve got to write letters of interest and all that stuff, but I haven’t had time. I can’t wait to be done!”
They left shortly after I sat down, headed out to work on the last few papers and presentations that separate them from their goal.
As they left, a pair of young women joined the patio, enjoying their afternoon and happily discussing their recent happenings. As they caught up over their sandwiches, I heard them chat about how much of a change the last year has been. Both graduated from college within the last year, and reminisced about their time with campus ministries that kept them connected and helped them stay focused on their faith. I overheard them discussing their struggles to find a home in the Austin community, and to get used to life after college.
“Our whole lives, everyone’s preparing you for the next step. Remember after high school? Everybody talked about college, and helped us get ready. That’s nothing compared to this! No one helps you get ready for life without school.”
They’re right. It is not easy, and almost everyone experiences this same struggle to find out what is next after the structure of school ends. (sidenote: One went on to tell the other about this great new movie coming out starring Julia Roberts, where her character travels the world to find herself. “I think it’s called Eat Pray Love, but I haven’t read it. I want to just travel the world!” I wanted to interrupt and tell them it is my favorite book, and they must read it - now. I decided against, so as to avoid letting them in on my eavesdropping…)
I remember being in the shoes of the first couple - so excited about what was to come, and nervous about the unknown. And I recall moving to Miami after grad school, feeling enthusiastic about my life, apprehensive about the future, and discouraged throughout that first year as I struggled to find my fit in the city.
There are not easy answers as to how to maneuver through these transitions, but it is comforting to remember that I am not alone in this experience. Plenty of others experience the same struggles. It is also nice to reflect on my first time going through this. I have made it before, and I am confident and hopeful that I will make it through again.
As I prepared to leave, I watched an older couple walk to their car and drive off to their next destination. I wondered about the advice they could give, with their years of experience? As I reflect on how I thought I had so much to tell the four people I overheard today to provide them with hope and encouragement, I remember how little of life I have truly experienced. This couple has a lifetime of stories to share. I also realize that all six of the people I have seen could teach me something.
Attraversiamo.
