CHAPTER six — HIGHER EDUCATION

Exposure to so many choices was exhilarating—the contrast between grade school and college was remarkable. In grade school I had one classmate; in college I had more than two thousand. Huge changes stirred up emotions, to say the least: fear of the unknown combined with the thrill of exploration. College forced me to grow far beyond my protected rural days, while it allowed me to focus on what I loved doing: painting, drawing, sketching, designing, sculpting, and creating like I had when I was a child. Meeting new people that had similar goals was incredibly stimulating.

Graduation from college was euphoric; but unfortunately, it was followed soon after by intense darkness. It took years to find the courage to look at that darkness and how it affected many years of my adult life.

Even though exploring new horizons was a catalyst for expanding my awareness, higher education was a bit frightening for a starry-eyed farm girl totally unprepared for the realities of life in the big city. Focusing on my college years is significant because those life-changing years became a defining point in my growth. Drawing upon my ancestors’ courage, I enjoyed pushing forward—I thrived on meeting new people and making new friends.

Exposure to so many choices was exhilarating—the contrast between grade school and college was remarkable. In grade school I had one classmate; in college I had more than two thousand. Huge changes stirred up emotions, to say the least: fear of the unknown combined with the thrill of exploration. College forced me to grow far beyond my protected rural days, while it allowed me to focus on what I loved doing: painting, drawing, sketching, designing, sculpting, and creating like I had when I was a child. Meeting new people that had similar goals was incredibly stimulating.

Graduation from college was euphoric; but unfortunately, it was followed soon after by intense darkness. It took years to find the courage to look at that darkness and how it affected many years of my adult life.