Tempus Fugit... by Barbara (Ruth)

I'm picking my nephew up from the airport in a few hours. He's my favourite second oldest nephew - turning 22 next month, and graduating from university the month after that.

David's in Toronto this weekend for a whirlwind trip so that he can attend an interview for medical school at the University of Western Ontario in London on Sunday. I have to admit, I'm a little freaked out by that. Medical School. David. A doctor.

I think of university days with such nostalgia, as do most members of my family I think. We all had very different university experiences, yet we all have great stories of collegiate shenanigans, stories of miserable failures, bad dates, sporting victories, and ultimate success.

My Dad went to the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton in the late '40s and early '50s, eventually completing a PhD in organic chemistry. (By the way, chemistry was my lowest grade in high school. I can hear my Mum yelling at my Dad when he tried to help me: "David, you can't give a PhD answer to a high school student!") He went on to work most of his career in the pulp and paper industry, and eventually retired in 1993. This picture is my Dad in his boarding house, keeping warm in his UNB sweater (which I still have). Note the fabulous old radio which only died a few years ago.

Mum went to Queen's University in Kingston, like her father (my grandfather graduated from Queen's in 1913), and graduated with a degree in nursing science as well as an RN in 1953. Mum has amazing stories about Queen's life, being the "warden of Gorden" (basically the house warden of a residence), getting invited to the Science formal in first year, football games, and many many beaus.  This is her (on the left) participating in the capping ceremony for new nurses (the ceremony had a specific name, but I can't remember it - she'll probably correct me after she reads this). She went on to teach everything from Sunday School to university level science courses. I think her favourite teaching years were to grade school and high school students in the 70's and 80's.

I went to Queen's too, from 1984-1989. How could I not? Two sisters, a few cousins, my mother, an aunt, a brother-in-law, and my grandfather all went there. After years of visiting my sisters, there was no where else I wanted to go. This is a picture of my frosh week Gael Group - our theme was Risky Business, and we walked around all week in those shirts, tube sox and boxers. Ah, good times. 

It really doesn't seem that long ago for me. When I realize that I graduated from my undergraduate degree 24 years ago, I have to stop and catch my breath! So I find it hard to believe that my nephew has gone from this (circa 1994):

To this (on his summer course on Vancouver Island in 2010):

Thank goodness I haven't aged at all.  :)