College Town

I wonder if the dynamics of a college town is the same everywhere. Here, the city's population grows anywhere from twenty to fifty percent whenever school's in session. The streets suddenly become busier, traffic more hectic. Stores and restaurants grow crowded. The waiters and check-out clerks turn into hip young students.

Working in a college town (or more specifically AT the college), I've noticed a certain energy in the air when August approaches. Classes started for us today, and all of last week the campus stirred with growing activity. The usually-dead parking lot started accumulating cars and trucks, the grounds crew became busy trimming and perfecting the already stunning lawns. Parents and students strolled the sidewalks between dorm houses.

This morning, all I have to do is look out the window beside my desk and I see a girl walk past with a backpack strapped to her shoulders and a guy riding a bicycle. A couple toting a pile of books. The sound of a lawn mower.

Yes, school has definitely started. Seems like everything is changing... except me. As usual, I'm still waiting. Waiting for a word back from a publisher on one of my submissions. Waiting till noon so I can eat. Waiting until work is over so I can go home. Waiting until bedtime so I can get some blessed sleep. Waiting until my stomach gets big so I can tell there's actually a baby in there. Waiting until my next doctor's appointment so I can hear a heartbeat again. Waiting until the little critter finally starts moving around enough that I can feel him or her. Waiting for my husband's business training trip to be over so he can come home. Waiting for my first book to be released... Just waiting.