Farewell, My Good Friend Mason

     Today was a bittersweet day. I had the opportunity to return home to Cleveland, OH, which was very exciting. However, in doing so I had the unfortunate experience of bidding 'adieu' to my personal chauffeur.

 

     Mason and I have become good friends over the past semester. In late January I discovered that one can use his/her meal plan to pay for a BYU driver to transport me to and from classes or simply through the Provo surrounding area. 

     I took every advantage of this service and, being a fairly regular customer, I was able to request Mason for all of my transportation needs. Mason was always incredibly well-mannered, cordial, and on time.

     Well, BYU's chauffeur service has 'tread-points'* so the more I drive, the more I save with the service. (I think it's a "you have to spend money to make money" kind of idea). With this in mind, I ultimately had Mason picking me up each morning from my apartment in time to stop by Jamba Juice for an orange juice before dropping me off on campus for class. Following choir at 17:00 I could expect to see Mason in the HFAC parking lot waiting to deliver me back to my apartment for the evening. 

     I have to imagine that I was a valued customer, as I took every opportunity to utilize the service. This was certainly beneficial as Mason was more-or-less at my beck and call during the semester: many midnight McDonald's runs were made possible solely through Mason's reliability.

     Although, I think that this service was most useful in regards to the dating life. I mean, I can't deny that more than a few heads turn in Mason's direction when he's in the driver's seat; all the same, he was a great sport through it all. Each time I called on his services for a date he pulled out the ol' fake wedding ring, dissuading any lingering thoughts the young woman might have of dallying with him.

      All the same, I'd have to say that what I most appreciated was the conversation. Mason may not have the most life experience under his belt but he was always there to listen and offer any advice that he had. And advice- he had. I could never fully explain how truly grateful I am for all of Mason's encouragement whenever the "goin' got tough."

Thank you, Mason. And may the odds be ever in your favor. You are an admirable colleague

~Sir Jacob van Heemskerck Duker DeBaltzo Esquire

*not dissimilar to airline "miles"