Dear Mom

Today is the first day of classes at the univeristy in the town where I live. So for this prompt I want you to pretend you are a freshman at a university that is several hours away from home. You are living in the dorms. You have a roommate - someone you didn't meet until orientation last week.

Write a letter (or email) home to your parents describing your first weekend at school, your roommate, and your first day of classes. It can be serious or sad, funny or mysterious.


Dear Mom,

Wow! I can’t believe that after all these years, I’m finally going to college! Not many fifty-three year old women can make that statement. I’m just so glad that I wised up and took advantage of the VA educational loans.

This first week on campus has gone by in a whirlwind of buying used books, finding classrooms and offices, meeting professors and settling into the dorm. It was a boon to me that they decided to make me a house mother because of my age. Seems women to fill that position are in short supply and does save me the expense of having to pay rent for an apartment close to the campus.

Seems kind of strange to share my quarters with a young woman who is less than half my age. It is kind of cute to watch her study wrapped in this old baby blanket. I don’t think Emily has been away from home before, but she said she was glad that I was her room mate. Said it made her feel like she was staying with her “nana”. Surprisingly, I’m not insulted by that association. In fact, I’m flatter that Emily feels comfort in my presence. I hope the other twenty-six girls here in the dorm can feel the same way.

Well, Mom, I hope you can be proud of me and my accomplishments, albeit late in life. Now, I need to rush down to the florist and see if they have your favorite flowers, violets, so I can put them and this letter on your grave before it gets dark.

I love you, Mom.

Your daughter,

Valerie