Harvard Snapshots

With summer fast approaching, I sat down at my computer and attempted to type this column. But nothing happened--nothing good anyway. I realized that I really wasn't writing from my heart. With this oppressive, wonderful heat and crazy weather, the last thing I need is more intense analytical thought.

In the midst of deadlines and libraries, I don't want to write about being an agent of social change. That's what the semester's been for. Instead, I'm thinking about the different ways so many people and moments have impacted my life.

So, this is for all those folks I'm going to miss, a shout out if you will. To everyone who makes us stop, if just for a moment, and feel so lucky to know them, to be here.

The Inspirational. Those people who you have a meal with or discuss an idea with and no matter what, manage to get you excited, almost grinning about what's possible when you throw your heart into something. Who tell you things that makes you angry and make you want to change it and give you ideas about how that stay with you until you make them happen.

The Unfailingly Supportive. For those who get stressed (and yes, sometimes that's me), it makes such a difference to have friends who get you to laugh with a stupid e-mail, a shot or good food. Who listen to you rant just long enough before sending you off to call the guy or start the paper. Who are always there to remind you what you really value. They're most definitely the best.

The Uninhibited. Ah, those people who come on by the room at 1 a.m. with thoughts of hitting the town, who suggest Tuesday nights out for no good reason at all and snowball fights and walks in the rain. Who smile, start random conversations, send wacky e-mail messages. A special shout out to the zany dressers among you--so great to have something fun to look at in class or in the dining hall.

The Obsessed. Ain't it great to feel like you have a good sense of perspective? However misguided that sentiment might be? Here's to those who push it a little far with whatever their calling might be: people, random causes, personal missions. Who remind you, for whatever reason, that you're handling it all just fine.

The People who Tried (Hard) to Keep me Awake and yes, the Other Sleepers. Thanks. I know it was challenging. Knowing I could sit next to someone who'd shove me until my head shook back to attention made it worth it to go to lecture. And everyone else who was sleeping made me feel so much better; we were a community. I feel bonded.

People who Eat Alone With Style. We've all been there, sometimes minus the paper and the books and the mail and the hectic rush. Eating a meal in the dining hall but two seats away from an intense conversation is good stuff. And, while we're on dining hall conversation topics, I'd also like to offer my appreciation for the folks who talk about really random stuff in really loud voices. The other day I overheard a very heated argument about the origin of the word pencil. Hmmm. That's great procrastinating trivia. I appreciate it.

Those Folks Down the Hall. You know, the ones who let you borrow their portable phone, or use their bathroom, or zip up your dress, or have quarters for laundry. The ones you run into on the stairs or waiting for the elevator who you have those great 1 minute conversations with. So many morning and afternoons and late nights made much more awesome because of you.

Random Folks Who Know Your Name. Here's to Sonia at Winthrop who refuses to call me anything but Kelly (my given name) or those TF's you had a year ago who still say "Hi Tiger" when they pass. Here's to that person you met at a party who says hi and stops and asks what's going on and listens for your answer, and that kid you know on the T.

The Late Night E-mailers. Thank you to those folks who made me feel not quite so alone, made that all-nighter fly by. No matter what random topic it was about, it helped to know that there was someone out there sitting at A computer, procrastinating, just like me. And, while I'm on this topic, a very special shout out to people who always e-mail back.

I could go on indefinitely. I'm sure we all have memories of people, whether extraordinarily close friends or people who've made us smile. It's scary to hold out the possibility of a continued relationship without knowing if we'll be able to follow up on it. It's tempting to say catch ya later, see ya soon, let's keep in touch, but harder to follow up on it, even when we want to. I have many friends who say they hate goodbyes, don't do them. And, for our closest friends, they're almost unnecessary. Because we will see each other again. But for those people who we're really not going to see, wouldn't it be great if we could celebrate our memories of those touching, silly experiences we shared, before we get out of Cambridge. And, in six months, if we're thinking back and starting to break into laughter, maybe they will be too.

Tiger Edwards '01 is a psychology concentrator in Winthrop House.