It is unpleasant to be sick at school. It is even more unpleasant when one does not possess a roommate. One must drag herself up to meals if she wishes to eat. One could die in her bed and nobody would know for a few days, until the wing began to smell bad. Or so I told Emily, but she laughed at me and assured me it would never happen. Uh huh.

I slept almost all of Wednesday and Thursday, but now I'm starting to feel better. The truly interesting part for me was how the physical sickness came accompanied by a wave of spiritual and mental depression. I had to keep telling myself, "It's all lies! The world is the same as it was a few days ago." But I still find it hard not to trust my own senses.

You know what, though? I am learning about love. I love my school. Even though it is flawed. Even though it has hurt me and will probably hurt me again. I haven't let myself say or think that for months. I think it is because I am so much of an idealist. I want something to be perfect before I love it. But that's never gonna happen. I'm learning that about people, too. I love my friends not because they are good, but because we need to love each other to help each other grow to be like Christ. That is the purpose of friendship. I love flawed folks who have hurt me and who will hurt me again. And they love me, too, and they help me grow. I think I am starting to understand...  ¶ 5:16 PM