Doctor Grandma

I took a 3-mi. walk shortly before the eclipse was to begin, which we would not be able to see here in South Carolina, because sundown happened at the same time the eclipse was to begin. Looking at the sun in the sky, I thought, “There you go sinking slowly before the moon reaches you,” and then I noticed a lovely little rainbow to the left of the sun, visible in the sky. What a lovely little gift for us who were not able to watch the eclipse!

After teaching a night class at a neighboring university this semester, my husband and I drive back from Greenwood all the way to Chapin. This takes about an hour & 20. One of the perks is being outside at night, in a rural state, and looking out the car window. I can look because usually, my husband is driving. He is my companion and he accompanies me every week on this venture, usually driving to allow me to sleep or sometimes to catch up on reading something on the way TO that class. I appreciate his company. On the way back home after the class is over, I look out the window, to a canopy of stars. This canopy is unlike anything you’ve ever seen in a city. It is unlike anything you’ve ever seen living CLOSE to a city. This is a myriad layer upon layer of glittering light.

I am fascinated with stars and the sky, and watch them all the time. I do not feel settled until I have found the Big Dipper to get my orientation to reality. There are 3 little stars that are always in a row, together, pointing out in the direction of northwest. On the road back from Greenwood, I find that these 3 stars in a row are SURROUNDED by layers and layers of sparkling diamonds! From my house in our neighborhood, where we have irritating bright security lamps placed by the Neighborhood Association, I cannot see these diamonds. The Neighborhood Association says the blaring beacons are for our “safety”. In reality, we know they are placed so the people on that committee can see through their secret cameras 24/7, because they have nothing better to do than to spy. After all, the beacons are not in their side or backyard — they’re in mine.

In any case, these are the bounties of living in a rural state: Being aware of the canopy of stars, and layer upon layer of glittering diamonds, all available free in an enlightening and entertaining show. And we are a part of it. Looking out at the canopy, you realize just how vast is the universe, and how tiny is your own little star, your own little place within it.

Wednesday this week is December graduation at my small college. When our oldest daughter graduated from Purdue, we were escorted to the third balcony, I believe it was, and when she walked across the stage, we couldn’t even tell which one she was. Their names were scrolling across a screen as they swarmed the stage, two lines, criss-crossing in the shape of an “X” and leaving the stage with their empty diploma folder! It was ridiculous. What was the point? Still, the entire auditorium was filled with proud parents, ourselves included, as we somehow pictured it being more like the high school graduation was, where at least we would hear our child’s name and know when they walked onto the graduation stage.

At my college on Wednesday, we will go into the chapel which will be filled with beautiful red poinsettas. Now I’m not a church attender, but I know beauty when I see it. And I love red. So it suits me just fine.

Faculty parade in, each in their own institution’s gown from when they graduated. Mine is the only gold & black hood for PU. Each graduate will not only have his or her name announced, but each one is personally hooded by the acting President, and then they will each have their picture taken WITH the acting President before leaving the stage. It is a happy day, a proud day, and we personally know each graduate very well by the time they get on that stage. That’s because we’ve seen them in numerous classes, as they go back and forth between myself and my colleague, the 2 sociology faculty at my school. They take other classes as well, but we’ve seen them in every sociology class they ever take. Additionally, we are their advisors, so we consult with them to sign them up for classes each semester. It is an intimate and caring relationship, one that often continues over 5 years’ time. By the time we see them walk across that stage, we feel nearly as proud as the parents!

After living the experience at a small college, I would not trade it for the world. There are pros and cons about each situation. Large universities have their own national reputations which help graduates land jobs after they leave. They have sports teams that are seen on national television, and nothing can beat the experience of a crowd of thousands at a football stadium the size of a small planet. At a place like that, you form your own groups and clubs, because you need those to feel connected. But there is a faculty of 20 or so professors within each discipline. Students can graduate in your own field without ever having taken one of your classes! No thanks, folks. I can think of each student and know their best skills and the things they do poorly. I know the ones who are usually late to class, who don’t do well taking one at 8am. I know the ones who play sports and how their team did their senior year. I know those who are always early to class, I know whose grandfather died in the last year. I know many who never made it to this stage, who dropped out for one reason or another along the way, the same as many of my student colleagues did alongside of me in graduate school. Not everyone makes it to the final runway. Not everyone should. Life has many paths. But for those who DO, we gonna get down and celebrate on Wednesday!! Picture time! Oh yeah.