It was the best of times, it was the worst of times

 For my reflection, I wanted to roll with the theme of nostalgia. I picked out some pieces to share with you and each one actually has had some meaning to me over the past four years and I think they evoke a nostalgic/sad mood. I hope you enjoy :)

Our Town by Aaron Copland

Prelude in E Minor, Op. 28, No. 4 by Frederic Chopin

Sanctuary by Frank Ticheli

Ye Banks and Braes o' Bonnie Doon by Percy Grainger

English Folk Suite: II. Intermezzo

To leave on a happier note, here is an excerpt from "Songs of the Open Road." I think it's a good looking forward poem and it is totally relevant to moving on to college.

1 

Afoot and light-hearted I take to the open road, 

Healthy, free, the world before me, 

The long brown path before me leading wherever I choose. 

Henceforth I ask not good-fortune, I myself am good-fortune, 

Henceforth I whimper no more, postpone no more, need nothing, 

Done with indoor complaints, libraries, querulous criticisms, 

Strong and content I travel the open road. 

The earth, that is sufficient, 

I do not want the constellations any nearer, 

I know they are very well where they are, 

I know they suffice for those who belong to them. 

(Still here I carry my old delicious burdens, 

I carry them, men and women, I carry them with me wherever I go, 

I swear it is impossible for me to get rid of them, 

I am fill’d with them, and I will fill them in return.) 

5 

From this hour I ordain myself loos’d of limits and imaginary lines, 

Going where I list, my own master total and absolute, 

Listening to others, considering well what they say, 

Pausing, searching, receiving, contemplating, 

Gently,but with undeniable will, divesting myself of the holds that would hold me. 

I inhale great draughts of space, 

The east and the west are mine, and the north and the south are mine. 

I am larger, better than I thought, 

I did not know I held so much goodness. 

All seems beautiful to me, 

I can repeat over to men and women You have done such good to me I would do the same to you, 

I will recruit for myself and you as I go, 

I will scatter myself among men and women as I go, 

I will toss a new gladness and roughness among them, 

Whoever denies me it shall not trouble me, 

Whoever accepts me he or she shall be blessed and shall bless me.