As I sit on a train bound for New Haven from New York, I hear the speaker overhead announce “last stop, New Haven.  End of the Line.”  I can’t but help think the conductor is speaking to me directly.

I am staying in New Haven while my peers are plotting their courses outbound.  Some will go off to exciting new places like London and popular traditional places like New York.  They are transfering to new lines and new destinations.

But, this is as far as I go for now.  It is like time is standing still for me. In one snap shot, I see everyone in the motion running for a train.  It is clear they are bound for somewhere (or maybe they are in a rush to nowhere).

In all this frenzy, I am standing still at the station.  I can see all the times for departure and what I have to do to get on board, but I remain fixed in my place.  I can’t but help wonder how much farther people will be as time elapses.  I wonder how will they have changed the next time I see them.

Then I remember everything always changes.  By staying still, perhaps I am the one that will have changed.

I can’t ignore the importance of the journey, but now I can’t but help appreciate these stopping points where you can get off the beaten road and gain new perspective on the world around you.  I suppose, to experience movement, sometimes you have to stop.

My last stop may be New Haven, but it won’t be the final stop.  I hope to see everyone again soon after they graduate.