Today is my undergrad's 21st birthday. I normally count on him to demonstrate the passing of the seasons- he studies for midterms, takes holiday breaks, finishes finals and gets geared up for new semesters. We've been working together since he was a freshman, I've seen him make all kinds of growth in science, in his courses, in his attitude- but this one is throwing me for a loop. He was like a baby when we started working together- now he is 21?? How long have I been here? This is compounded by the premonition that he will graduate before I do (he'll definitely graduate in another year- I am far from setting a date yet). I'll still be at the grind stone in the time he has transformed from a dweeby kid to a scientist.
And then there is the whole matter of how to deal with being 21 particularly- I am pretty friendly with most of the undergrads here, but I find it much easier to treat him like a scientist without the details of his fratboy lifestyle. Pitt is no Penn State, as far as party schools go- but I still prefer to imagine that his interest in the brotherhood stems from their regular philanthropic gestures and the occasional PlayStation tourney rather then any other fringe benefit associated with fraternities. This well developed selective denial is just one of the thing my undergrad has taught me these last few years- and now I am feeling desperate to get the most out of our remaining ~16 mo together (if he gets this fellowship- otherwise I'll have another conniption fit when I realize he is going to graduate and abandon me here).
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