April 1999     

Last Dance Congratulations, Erich Pedestrian Safety NALSA SABER Graduation Pledge Seven-Year Reflection Small Claims and Cinnamon Rolls Church of the Earth Y2K Nuclear Threat Tribal Members Speak INS Are Thought Police In re Robin E. LOVE, Debtor Selected Crime Beat Reports Living Large: Downtown Haiku Variations The Light William Stafford perspective Spring Wave Poetry Notes

Three years gone in the blink of an eye. Law school. When we waltzed in three years ago, we were told that law school is like drowning—three years of trying to stay afloat. It was. But I won’t remember that—not specifically. I’m already losing the memories of cramming for tests, preparing for class, and writing papers in four days. What I will remember are the moments away from studying. Those moments shaped my law school education.

Life doesn’t stop when law school starts, although life definitely becomes warped. The perspective changes. But don’t get sucked in. What you will take with you are the moments you stepped away from the library, away from the books: the spontaneous conversations with faculty in the middle of the hallway; the two-ball ping pong games; the slumber parties; the environmental law conference in Eugene; the long hikes in Tryon; the protests; the boycotts; the disco parties; the Solomon march; the auction; the first Trillium blooms; the pumpkin carving contests; and on and on. Don’t let these moments go by. Once law school is over, you won’t be able to get them back.

Enjoy the last dance.