Sometimes, well, almost all of the time, you need to see something up close to appreciate the experience an individual is having and the choices they have made. Sounds obvious, but, how often do we invest the time to truly develop those conclusions?
Case in point, I'm in Tacoma this weekend playing baseball and my wife's cousin was kind enough to let me stay in his room off-campus at the University of Puget Sound. I think I benefitted most from the arrangement. Well, free room and board is cool, but seeing his reality, meeting his friends, eating in the student union, eating at a local restaurant, watching an indepdendent film and sleeping in quarters that might be banned if city inspectors did not turn the other cheek at college student housing allowed me great insight into the choices he made to attend this university and to see the exceptional choices he has made with his friends and roommates.
I understand his view more clearly and the probability in family decisions regarding his college experience is they may not understand what I have seen and experienced. The judgments and comments may not be made from his point of view but, rather their own experiences. And, I may not even try to communicate what I have seen because they will not comprehend what they have not seen.
And, yes, I think his friend, who is a girl, likes him (she's very cute, down to the earth, and an interesting conversationalist). And, I think he likes here. Who knows? Maybe she will join him someday in the West Indies. But, that is a whole separate reality!
Journalism at large, entertainment advice, advice for sports parents and spectators, and a few random musings!
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