Twenty-five years ago today I graduated from college. I don’t remember a lot of the particulars but there are a couple of things that stand out for me about that day.
The night before, Sister had come up to spend the night with me. Though she is three years my junior there have been times in my life when she has taken over and helped me through a hard time. This was one of those times. We visited while we packed my things–something I had been putting off. About midnight we ran over to Denny’s for some sustenance in the form of fried mozzarella sticks and nachos. (Two of the basic food groups for us back then.) When we got back to the dorm, Sister told me to go on to bed, rest well for my big day, and she would keep packing.
Which she did. I should probably call and tell her thank you for that again.
The next morning I woke up and hurriedly put on the special one piece dress/culottes outfit that I had splurged on from Karats and Keepsakes–the only way to describe it is to say it was completely and totally ’90’s.
And I loved it.
I threw on my white shoes, because they matched it best, and because well-it WAS after Easter. As I ran out of my dorm heading towards Porter Auditorium, one of my classmates pointed out my white shoes (“yes, thank you, they are pretty awesome, aren’t they?”) and kindly “reminded” me that all graduates were supposed to wear black shoes.
Oops. Did I miss that memo?
Nowadays all information at my alma mater seems to be disseminated by e-mail. Back then I am sure this was announced in a meeting. I can pretty much guess which one it probably was. Only my mind was in a million different places about that time…..my future plans, moving back home, saying goodbye to sisterfriends I would miss dearly, and how to leave this place I had begun to call home.
Two thoughts for the young women I know who are about to graduate soon–actually no, this is a message for all of us.
Pay attention. Listen up. Don’t get so bogged down in worrying about your future that you miss out on what’s going on in your present. You might miss out on something important. And it might be more than a fashion faux pas.
And here’s the other, even more important thing:
Have each other’s backs.
No matter what.
See, my sisterfriend who called out to me about the shoes–she was in a hurry too. She had her mind on the BIG THING about to happen. But she took the time to notice and to help me out by pointing out my mistake. Kindly, I might add.
It’s so easy in this world where pushing ahead and success are so valued to just focus on ourselves, isn’t it? But I challenge each one of us to take the time to notice. To make the time. And to help. Offer a kind word. Let someone know something they might have missed before. It doesn’t take anything at all away from me to take a minute and say, “Hey, those are cute, but today we’re all supposed to be wearing black shoes.”
And it sure gives a lot to the one who hears those words. (Seriously, what was I thinking? While the white shoes matched the outfit UNDERNEATH my graduation gown, they stuck out like a sore thumb with my black cap and gown.)
Two days ago I helped my rising junior finish packing up her things so we could move her back home. Home from the same dorm where my journey at Wesleyan began. As I moved around her room, consolidating and packing, I remembered Sister and gave thanks. Paying it forward seems only right, you know?
Tonight I’m thankful for Sister and my sisterfriend, both of whom were interruptible. Both of whom set aside what they had going on–for a minute, for a night–to help me.
That’s humbling right there.
May we all be so fortunate to have such a gift in our lives.
May we all strive to be that gift to someone else.
Love to all.
I Might Need A Nap 