Growing up in Leander, Texas, a small suburb of Austin, I learned to appreciate a good sunset. Sunsets were always my dad’s favorite and on our drive back from elementary school at 6 p.m., he would always point them out.
My family and I used to go to a restaurant called the Oasis to admire the sunset. It had around three stories of outdoor patios and as the sun went behind the horizon, the restaurant workers would ring a bell and everyone would clap. I thought I would never find a sunset better than those close to home.
As I grew up and college applications started rolling around the corner, I knew that Texas wasn’t meant to be my forever home. I applied to Pepperdine and nervously left the only state I had ever known.
However, when I saw my first sunset at Pepperdine, I knew I’d be okay, regardless of how nervous I was about leaving my family behind.
Each time I was feeling uncertain or nervous about something in my life, I’d see a beautiful sunset. They followed me from Leander to Malibu. They followed me the first time I went abroad to Uganda. They followed me to Heidelberg, Germany. They followed me to Leighton Buzzard, England.
Whenever I’m feeling nervous about where life might take me, I go outside and watch the sunset. I’ve made it a habit to go to the beach at least once a week to watch them. There’s nothing quite as comforting as watching the warm glow of the sun light up the sky.
As I finish my last year at Pepperdine and another uncertain future awaits me, I often find myself looking for inspiration, a way to feel better when it seems like my life is constantly changing. The answer always seems to be waiting for me in the setting sun.
_______________
Follow the Graphic on X: @PeppGraphic
Contact Mackenzie Krause via email: mackenzie.krause@pepperdine.edu
