I’m not sure what I should write my column about.

Maybe a column about all the horrible things that I’ve dealt with since I’ve lived in Missouri for the past two years would interest readers. I could write about all of the horrible food in Joplin and how 99 percent of the restaurants in the area survive on the buffet.

Maybe I could write a column about all the local television personalities that refer to this area of the country as the “four-states.” I’ve already written about that though.

Another possibility for a column idea could be about the young women at Missouri Southern. Wow, there are a lot of beautiful women on this campus, but it’s a little discouraging when they’re all either engaged or married. I wonder if there’s something in the water here. Don’t worry – I won’t write my column about that either. I’d like, if possible, to get out of here alive.

But as I sit here at my computer in my apartment at 12:47 a.m. trying to think about the next thing in Missouri that’s driven me nuts over the past two years, I started to think.

Maybe I’m just full of it and really need to look at the big picture: I’ve been pretty damn lucky to come to school at Southern. And that is definitely worth writing a column about.

During my two years of school here I’ve traveled to Cuba, Austria, Hungary and I’m about to spend a month in Mexico to complete my graduation requirements. I joined one of the best college newspapers in the country and I was given the privilege of being editor-in-chief my last year here. And although I’m sure there have been several times when editors have talked behind my back about how picky or ruthless I can be about deadlines, I’ve been awfully lucky. It’s an unusual bunch, but they’ve made it fun, and I’m honored to have known them all.

I can’t wait to move back to my potato farm in Idaho. While I’m just a few weeks away from that next chapter in life, I really have to think about how lucky I’ve been in Missouri.

I met my best friend at Southern.

She’s shown me how to appreciate life for what it is and what it’s about to become. It’s been a joy having her in my life and I thank her.

I especially thank her for helping me get through that five-credit nightmare we all know as physics.

Thanks to everyone at the University who helped me along the way.

You Missouri folk do things a little different around this part of the country, but you’re some of the friendliest people I know.

And it’s been a pleasure.