I graduated from Florida State University on May 1st. I am now Dr. Elaine Hendriks Smith. It’s been two weeks and I still feel like I need to prep and class, run to the library, or write…write…write.
After a play closes, I experience a moment where I don’t know what to do with myself. That’s usually one or two days after the play closes. I haven’t felt that yet about this journey’s end. I’m starting to think I won’t feel it because I have so much research to do. The ‘what’s next’ question is answered. Not the job, no that is still in process, but the research, the book, the publications I want to do…they are lined up waiting for me. This feels like a giant gift from my experience. I have something new and exciting to wrap my brain around.
I can feel that I have a romantic view of Florida State University already. I am definitely waxing nostalgic for moments that will never come again, but I am not sad or relieved or empty. Instead I am excited and interested in what the next step is going to be.
It could be anything from finding a cute beach town to write, to staying in Tallahassee in our house that has become a home, to moving back to my people in Michigan, to an entirely new adventure that is awaiting me out there. I’m not sure.
But, I am confident it will be fun. Denny, Pancho puppy and I will enjoy whatever is next. Some adventure awaits….and I am ready for it.