The Things We Carry*

This is the Dog River in Northfield, Vermont.

Photo cred: Google

This a rock from the Dog River in Northfield, Vermont.

Photo cred: My cell phone

Now listen, I don't know all the details because I didn't know Erik in college, but here's what I've gleaned:

At some point during their 4 years in college, cadets select a rock and run with it through this river obstacle course and after they've run themselves ragged chucking this rock all through creation they keep it forever and ever and ever into perpetuity to piss off their wives and collect dust and occasionally disguise a key on the front porch.

This rock has lived in New York, Oklahoma, Hawaii, Pennsylvania and now Georgia. Inside, outside, wherever I've seen fit to let it live. Because it's a rock. That we've moved 5 times.

Because college.
Because the Corps of Cadets.
Because Love.

*Betcha thought from that title that this was going to be a lot more interesting. ;)