Chello!
I'm waiting for my d-chair to be ready, so I thought I would pop in for a quick catch up.
Yesterday I had the lovely privilege of meeting and having the best conversation with Gabriel. Gabe is a fellow PLS (*) alum from Notre Dame, currently in the seminary, and working in a project in which he records conversations with graduates of the program to find out how it has shaped our lives.
We went deep, and I thought about things that had never occurred to me before, but the overriding theme for me was both gratitude mixed with a tremendous amount of humility. Gratitude, because my mom and dad gave me the freedom to pursue any major I wanted no matter how seemingly impractical, and humility because I spent three years watching and listening and admiring some of the most brilliant minds at the university -- both students and professors.
I probably had no business pursuing a Great Books degree, but I sure am glad that I did. It gave me such a sense of belonging and family at a place that threatened to swallow me whole as an awkward kid from Lima who didn't have the confidence to get out of my own way.
Gabe will be a wonderful priest, teacher, mentor, counselor, and IS an amazing inspiration. I pray for him to continue on his journey and to live his dream entirely.
As for me...today is going to be a stitchy day so help me. I haven't stitched since Saturday, I think, and I'm starting to feel that twitchiness in my bones. I'm going to leave the iPad thingie in my bag today and just be present with needle and thread and solve the world's problems in my tiny little brain. It's cold and rainy here in Hoosierville, so methinks I'll kick off my shoes, get undermy blanket, and let Buzzy do his thing.
Happy Wednesday, Dearies! I hope your world is peaceful, calm, stitchy, and healthy today!
(*) PLS is The Program of Liberal Studies and is the Great Books program at Notre Dame. If you look on the Google for Great Books you can learn all about it if you're so inclined.
Coni, I am one of the lurkers here.lol My son took the Great Books program at his undergraduate school and is at present getting his PhD and teaching at a college in Georgia. I think that the GB program really teaches one to think and to use their mind in a wonderful way that stays with you for the rest of your life.
ReplyDeleteI once read a,line in a book (on all places) in which the character said the formula for happiness was to buy books and flowers first and food with What was left. Sounds like a,plan to me and I a foodie. My worst nightmare has always been that I would go blind and not be able to read or stitch. Major catastrophe.
ReplyDeleteOh I can so relate to you Texas Stitcher, I was petrified when I had the cateract removed from the first eye - I wondered what I would do if I couldn't stitch again, but all was good and when I had my second eye done, it seemed such a breeze.
DeleteMy Son was a prodigious reader and I "prayed" he would select
ReplyDeletethe great books program...he did not, but is still a
prodigious reader.. I agree; what an inspiring and enlarging experience. You sound on top of things today, Coni dear..
Hi Coni, so glad you had a lovely day with Gabriel - days like that can really lift you in more ways than one. My love of reading comes from my grandmother, through my father and thankfully it appears I have passed it onto my daughter. Take care my friend and look after yourself.
ReplyDeleteI love having chats that make you think hard. Now off to look up this Great Books degree :)
ReplyDelete