Happy Trails

Friends,

I've been thinking about what to write for my last post before leaving Mankato for the cheese-filled capital of Wisconsin. But it's tough. If I do my own "I love" series, I'll cry, getting all gushy for people I'm going to miss. I've tried to think of other ways to wave goodbye. The only other contending idea was posting pictures with some music, but that's too much like a memoriam. I wouldn't want those people who stumble on this blog looking for men shitting to think all my friends had died in some horrible Mankato accident. And I've come to find that there isn't a sufficient way to say goodbye.

This has been a remarkable three years. Learning to live with and love my wife. Meeting friends I should have for life. Writing a novel. Writing a screenplay. Learning what I needed to hear with writing. Losing a lot weight (and hair). Growing mustaches and beards. Visiting Milledgeville. Finding that I love teaching writing, particularly creative writing. And finding a direction and identity in my life. How can a person say goodbye to the place and the people who helped me with all that and more?

And you can't. You pack the boxes, load the truck, give hugs, give handshakes, say goodbyes, get drunk, hope not to cry too much and hold onto these memories with both hands. Next is to tell a new group of people the stories about these times to keep them alive so you never have to really let go.

Thanks, everybody. Its been fantastic. Thank you so much.

viva these three years in Mankato! viva the MFA department!