Corn and Mononucleosis

In the past seven months I have managed to get a good taste of both of these things: Corn and mononucleosis. Oh, but where to begin.

Spring semesters at Cornell are an uncomplicated affair. There's the usual seasonal depression, the fretting over and failing on prelims, the 10 step plans with 18 sub-steps and 9 back up plans to getting free printing. Throw in some good-natured jokes about Harvard and memes about Dartmouth and that about does it. The atmosphere on campus is much more strained, as each glimpse of sun is truly a reason to celebrate and every whisper of a snow day is both a reason to scoff and postpone starting yet another essay or problem set. But this spring was this and more.

My canvassing of those who've had mono usually resulted with, "Wow, I just slept constantly for like two weeks." My experience was much worse, difficult, and complicated. It's a cautionary tale, but most definitely worth an enormous, deep, and heartfelt thank you to my professors who were patient and gracious with me when I asked for another extension. Who met me outside of their office hours in random rooms in Klarman while their wife and baby son waited for them in their office. Who encouraged me when I felt like a failure. Who emailed me to check on how I was doing.

To my classmates, who would elbow me when the inexplicable fatigue led me to fall asleep in lecture. You are the real MVPs.

To the wonderful, kind doctor at Gannet (y'all are playing if you think I'm ever going to call it Cornell Health) who genuinely cared about me, saw me three times, and each time told me she'd been thinking of and worrying about me.

To my mentors, Cru staff members, and fellow worship team leaders who picked up my slack, prayed for me, offered to make me meals, and validated all my questions.

To my parents who texted me Scripture, fasted with me, and always keep me faithfully in prayer.

To my dear and bosom friends, who were profoundly patient with me while my body betrayed my mind and emotions, who cheered me on when writing a five-page essay felt like learning to walk again, who cooked for me when I was too weak to open a box of penne, who read me the Bible, sent me memes, remembered when I had doctors appointments, visited me, drove me places, offered to talk to my professors for me, laughed with me, cried with me, held me, lamented with me, called me, and rejoiced with me. Wow—you all are the cream of God's crop.

The devil really tried it this spring, and for that reason the Lord gave me you. All of you. I thank God upon my every remembrance of you.

This semester was hard, but wow. I love the Corn. So much that I'm here over the summer doing research, but apparently not enough to not go study abroad in Paris this fall.

So you didn't see me last semester—that’s because I was seriously sick. And you won't see me this upcoming semester. Parce que je serai en France.

I am thankful for God's provision, faithfulness, and patience. For this school which provides me with opportunities and the resources to reach my goals. For Ithaca, which feels like home. And for the body of Christ, who continually remind me of Jesus.

Life update: don't share any drinks with me, per doctor's orders. But I'm doing much better so maybe if you waterfall the cup you'll be okay.

People do not die of colds.

- Mrs. Bennet, Pride and Prejudice (2005)

#Life #Cornell #school