So, here I am, sitting in Café 100, trying to think of what I’d like to write about this week. Around me are people in groups of two or three, sitting together, drinking warm tastes of winter and reminiscing about the past or looking forward to what the future will bring. There are also people sitting alone, plugged into iPods or reading books, perhaps trying to escape from the hectic life they lead at college.

I suppose I am also one of those people trying to relieve myself of a little bit of the stress of daily life. I take more classes than I care to count and I have two jobs. Life is a tad bit wild.

I am so focused on getting everything done on time, getting hours in at work, preparing pieces for my recital; in short, I am just trying to survive.

So I can identify with the people who are here sitting alone. But I’m intrigued by the people sitting in groups, spending time together. I sort of wish I was one of them. The people sitting in clusters are enjoying one of the most pure human experiences: social interaction.

They are spending time in what appears to be a healthy way. They will leave those conversations stimulated in some way, and for that I envy them.

Where are my friends right now? They are working hard in rehearsals, in practice rooms, at work and studying. I’m sure some of them are also eating dinner, spending time with their significant others or on dates. I bet several of my friends are alone right now, too, just searching for some solitude.

Why am I leaving school in seven minutes? I’m going to work. After two and a half hours of work, I’m going back to the practice rooms to finish memorizing music. The rest of my night involves being by myself, working hard to have a career and be good at what I do. In fact, almost every day is spent doing exactly this. School and music come first. All other relationships come second.

Sometimes I think about growing old — I think we all do. And when I think about aging and how I want to spend the last of my days, I realize what is most important in life: other people.

I might die alone with my guitar in my hands, which would be a fair representation of how I will probably spend most of my life. But is that what I really want? I don’t think so. I want to spend my last hours on earth with people that I love, to whom I have given and who have given to me. I want to see people who have enriched my life in some way. I want to spend time thinking about all the joys I shared with the people I care about. I want to smile and hold hands with my family and the people I love. Only then will I feel fulfilled.

I don’t want my life to be all about what I want to accomplish. I don’t want to be known only for how well I play my instrument or what grades or awards I receive. I want to have intimate moments with people who matter to me. I hope that anyone reads this feels the same.

Let’s go tell the people we love that we love them. Let’s go share a meal.

Tests and papers will take care of themselves. Relationships will not.

Katrina Leshan is a junior majoring in classical guitar performance. She can be reached for comment at [email protected]