Where Love is Central
—by Nathan on June 10, 2017—
I graduated today. Saying that is really weird; making such a definitive statement is bizarre. Gone are the years of schooling.
I said goodbye today to North Central College, a truly fantastic establishment. It's bittersweet. The two years I've been there have been amazing, and it's already over. So, to commemorate graduation and the institution I graduated from, I wrote a song. I find, in all my writings, poetry and songwriting are where I can get my thoughts and feelings down best. Hopefully, this song encapsulates at least a portion of those thoughts and feelings regarding NCC.
No more tests, papers, presentations, classes, teachers. No more Focus. No more Breakaway. No more Old Main, BoHo, LAC, WAC, and a number of other awesome buildings. A few weeks ago, I celebrated Siblings Weekend with my sisters, and I led them on a tour of campus. Only two short years here, and I know my way around campus, I know professors, I have friends, I've done incredible things. The words below attempt to capture that spirit--of a school I've come to love, and a place I know I'll miss.
Where Love is Central
I’ve been places that I never thought I’ve ever be
I’ve seen things that I never thought I’d get to see
Embracing opportunities
Never seemed as delightful to me
I’ve done things that I never thought I’d ever do
I’ve been someone that I never thought would be true
Who would’ve thought it would be this way?
Taking advantage of these blessings
The years pass by too quickly
And before I know it, it’s time to end
At least I’m left with the memories
That I know I’ll never forget
Chorus:
There’s a reason we call this place a home away from home
There’s a reason we know that, here, we can do the impossible
There’s a reason we still believe that our faith and strength will grow
And that reason is we know this is a place where love is central
I’ve made friends that I never thought I’d ever have
I’ve met people that I never thought would cross my path
Embracing personalities
Never seemed as wonderful to me
I’ve watched faith sprout in ways I never thought would bloom
I’ve grown in places I didn’t think had any more room
Who would’ve thought it would be like this?
I never realized there’s so much I’ll miss
The years pass by too quickly
And before I know it, it’s time to leave
But thank God for the gifts He’s given me
Some of the best that I’ve received
Chorus:
There’s a reason we call this place a home away from home
There’s a reason we know that, here, we can do the impossible
There’s a reason we still believe that our faith and strength will grow
And that reason is we know this is a place where love is central
And we’re not talking about a love that’s surface
We’re talking about love deep beneath the currents
About people who know they won’t be perfect
But who help with grateful hearts of service
Does it sound cheesy? Does it sound cliché?
Right now, I don’t care if it comes off that way
Love doesn’t depend on how something sounds
But how our actions show the truth of light now
Chorus (2x):
There’s a reason we call this place a home away from home
There’s a reason we know that, here, we can do the impossible
There’s a reason we still believe that our faith and strength will grow
And that reason is we know this is a place where love is central
There’s a reason we call this place a home away from home
There’s a reason we know that, here, we can do the impossible
There’s a reason “light and truth” has always been our motto
And that reason is we know this is a place where love is central