Freebird

A day I've been looking forward to since finishing college all those years ago finally arrived. That's right, I paid off the remainder of my college loans. I know I teased something else for this entry, but today's transaction is important enough to me that the other stuff can wait until tomorrow.

Making the final payment this afternoon allowed me to breathe a big sigh of relief as it means that I am now 100% debt-free. I don't say that to boast--I certainly have no right to do so--but to relish a moment that has been a long time coming. I could have made payments over a few more months, but after looking at the balance and knowing I could wipe it all out today, it took all I had to keep from leaping out of my skin and zeroing what I owed.

Whether one owes monetarily or otherwise, the feeling of being in debt is never a pleasant one. It is an inescapable gnawing sensation that, if talk about the economy is at all accurate, is familiar to at least a few of those reading. I'm no longer burdened by it, but I empathize if you are.

I know that talk about money is considered verboten in polite company, but for this one instance I have to shout for joy. As long as it took to reach this day, I feel like I've earned a little celebratory expression.