What's the use of stories that aren't even true?  Learning, self-discovery, emotion, fun!  It's all the things that make us human.  As I said in my final paper, the ability to tell stories is our defining characteristic as humans.  Nothing exposes more of the essence of our selves than the ability to relate a tale, whether truth or fiction.

I want to thank Dr. Sexson for being our Senex, our Hoopoe through this semester of romance.  I can honestly say that reading, listening to and blogging about the stories that I encountered in the past few months has brought me a much greater understanding of not only what a story is, but who I am and who I want to be.

I think what we all have learned is not only what we have read, but what we have yet to read and discover in literature.  In the margins of my notes are dozens of authors and titles that Dr. Sexson and you, my classmates, have opened my eyes to.  I intend to read each and every one on my path toward life-long learning.  I am naive and I know it.  I have so much to learn and I am proud of it.  I am inspired by each of you and I humbly thank you for it.  Remember that, like in The Conference of Birds, the hoopoe can only be our guide.  It cannot bring us to where we want to go.  It is ultimately up to us to look in the lake and see ourselves as the masters of our own destiny.  Keep dreaming, keep writing and keep reading - I tell this to you all and, perhaps most importantly, to myself.