This past Saturday our high school’s fall play “The Servant of Two Masters” wrapped production—after over two months of hard work we culminated in three shows. Like all shows I’ve ever been involved in, it was a blast. We had a great time working together over the weeks of rehearsals and despite it looking grim at the beginning the play came together perfectly for our shows.
Right after the show on Saturday, we struck the set (took it down), ripped up the scripts ceremoniously, then had our cast party. And suddenly, by Sunday, the whole process was over.
I sat in my room on my computer quietly doing my homework and realized how ignominious the ending of the play seemed to me. We had been together for so long, worked so hard, had so many great experiences together, and it all ended so quickly. The phenomenon is called “post-show letdown”; it happens often. However, it’s not that bad as I know I’ll see all the cast and crew members at school for the rest of the year.
The same thing happened to me with Abbey Road. After three weeks of living together, eating together, having fun together—it was over. One morning, I woke up and everything from the trip was gone. Our goodbyes, though emotional, seemed so short—just a few hugs and handshakes and parting words in a plaza late at night. I spent one lonely morning wandering around Cádiz waiting for my parents, visiting all the spots my friends and I had frequented and thinking about how sad it was that the experience was over.
But just like the play, I realized Abbey Road didn’t have to be over. Granted, I wouldn’t see all my friends back at home or at school, but those connections exist elsewhere. The Internet allowed us to keep in touch. We could all stay connected via Facebook, Snapchat, and text message. WhatsApp allowed me to keep in touch with my friends in Spain. For all its faults, the web kept up together to some degree.
It was reassuring to maintain contact, but what was even better was the opportunity to stay involved with Abbey Road. Writing these blogs has given me a great chance to reflect on the experience I had on this wonderful summer program and realize how it’s translated to the rest of my life. And in that reflection, I’ve realized that the most important part of appreciating a past experience is realizing its place in your own narrative; gaining closure.
Abbey Road was a fantastic experience, but now that I’m back in the rhythm of school life I appreciate its full course. I don’t feel devastated that I’ve left Spain. That’s not saying that I don’t miss it, it’s just that as a result of thinking about it I’ve gained closure. But that process takes time, and so I’m still working on it for the play. It takes reflection, and at least thanks to Abbey Road I have experience in the field.