Thames at three

By: Kali Lamparelli
Posted In: Opinion

By now we have heard the number of days until graduation, how many more days left to procrastinate on the last of our homework assignments. We have heard the number of days we have left to go on adventures with our best friends who live down the street. What will we fill our numbered days with? How will we spend our minutes?

I can admit I have no reason left in me to look at my work; I would much rather spend an afternoon on the beach swinging towards the vibrant sunsets with my best friend. I want deep conversation and to entwine myself with my best friends instead of completing my work.

What did you do when you received the email that said “you can now buy your cap and gown?” I walked up to the bookstore door and almost opened it but the fear of one of the most profound moments of my life set in and I ran away. I waited until I had the spirit of an old soul, a best friend walk through the door with me for my Bachelor’s gown and she for her Master’s. We crossed a bridge together and it wasn’t as scary as I first thought it would be, for she had already been there; she showed me the way.

I feel like there is a “Bucket List” I am following. I am counting the days until a monumental life shift happens as opposed to death. It is strange for me to think that four long years ago, four short years ago I had no idea Rhode Island would come to be my home. I believe it is the endless possibilities life offers that is scary about moving on from this part of my life.

For four years we have known what we are taking, what we were getting ourselves into. We identified each other by major and state locations. Now who will we be when summer ends and we realize we won’t be returning to Newport, to the ocean that healed our aches and fed our joys? We won’t be eating a Miley breakfast after nights out or lying in each other’s beds laughing for hours waiting until sunrise. College is an interesting time in life. It bonds us; it makes us families and lifetime friendships.

I can tell you I’ll miss Ocean Drive, Castle Hill Lighthouse, picnics in parks, Forty Steps, Thames Street at 3 a.m. and the stillness of it, as well as Bellevue and the lantern lights.

For the young ones, it is true that it does pass quickly. Take your time, live it deeply and breathe it deeply. If you are afraid, it is OK, I promise, because there is a place for everyone’s light to shine, you’ll find your place. When it gets hard, look to the ocean, the lantern lights on Bellevue-they will light your way and find peace in the stillness of Thames at 3 a.m.