I wended my way through the labyrinth of finding and downloading a photo of Mem Church in Harvard Yard. I guess being accepted by and graduated from this college (Radcliffe it was then) was not a mistake as I had always thought.
I always thought that I was not really admitted to Radcliffe - that it was a mistake. I was so far from being a brain in high school, I never thought I was on the path to the best school in the country. I thought I was going to Goucher, because my mother did and was still an active alum. I didn't receive a notification of my roommate, and thought that was another sign. I was greatly relieved to meet Karen as we moved into Comstock. From then on, (including failing a course or two because I couldn't learn new things), I figured that they simply weren't going to admit their mistake and but would accept the tuition checks as they came in. I wrote a very poor thesis, and graduated without honors (sine laude?). The final proof came when we were awarded blank diplomas at graduation. I knew it, I said to myself.
I'm not sure I'd changed my mind until the 50th reunion when I found myself thinking and doing things that I thought were impossible. Being things, too. Thus the reunion holds tremendous promise for me. Such as watching my brain and fingers (neither of which do I feel responsible for) find and post the Mem Church picture - maybe I am not as stupid as I've always thought. Much to be explored in the next 20 years, and it was empowering to be with others on the same exploration and feeling one of them, rather than not of them, as I did '58 to '62. And on. I know that you are right, many more of us were lost than just me - goodness how I enjoyed meeting some of them!
Why had you always thought it was a mistake? What caused you to change you mind?
ReplyDeleteStill feeling my way though this - I answered you via email! Should I paste that answer in here?
ReplyDeleteI always thought that I was not really admitted to Radcliffe - that it was a mistake. I was so far from being a brain in high school, I never thought I was on the path to the best school in the country. I thought I was going to Goucher, because my mother did and was still an active alum. I didn't receive a notification of my roommate, and thought that was another sign. I was greatly relieved to meet Karen as we moved into Comstock. From then on, (including failing a course or two because I couldn't learn new things), I figured that they simply weren't going to admit their mistake and but would accept the tuition checks as they came in. I wrote a very poor thesis, and graduated without honors (sine laude?). The final proof came when we were awarded blank diplomas at graduation. I knew it, I said to myself.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure I'd changed my mind until the 50th reunion when I found myself thinking and doing things that I thought were impossible. Being things, too. Thus the reunion holds tremendous promise for me. Such as watching my brain and fingers (neither of which do I feel responsible for) find and post the Mem Church picture - maybe I am not as stupid as I've always thought. Much to be explored in the next 20 years, and it was empowering to be with others on the same exploration and feeling one of them, rather than not of them, as I did '58 to '62. And on. I know that you are right, many more of us were lost than just me - goodness how I enjoyed meeting some of them!