In May, I went back to college
for a weekend. It was my 5 year college
reunion. It was a wonderful weekend and
I am so glad I got to go.
I took a red eye from Seattle to
Chicago. Unfortunately, I couldn’t
really sleep. Partly excited and partly
just uncomfortable flying positions.
Then, I got to Chicago to find out my flight was cancelled due to “weather”
(which was beautiful minus a summer storm on Saturday). So I grabbed the first
bus ride to South Bend. Got in a couple
hours later but got there!
I checked in and found my
roommate for the weekend, my friend Megan Gill.
We were very lucky to get a room in our favorite hall, LeMans, and have
a full bathroom! However, we were locked out of our room for a bit due to lock
changes…however, we were able to get in finally! And we were able to make it in time to catch
a grounds tour of SMC. Following that
was the first event: dinner at the good old dining hall followed by the All
Class Party. It was a great time and we
all had a blast. We followed up by going
all out and making it out to a traditional ND/SMC bar, The Backer (The
Linebacker).
The next day was an address by
the lovely Carol Ann Mooney, president of SMC*.
This was followed by a picnic where I was finally able to see my lovely
friend, Caitlyn and her husband and her wonderful baby boy, Michael. I had so much fun seeing him. He was just precious. Caitlyn and I attempted to visit the Business
department but there wasn’t anyone we really wanted to see.
I then TRIED to go to a bakery my
mom grew up with in Downtown South Bend to bring her home some sweet treats,
but pulled up less than 10 minutes after they closed. Failure!
So defeated, I went to the Grotto at ND.
It is my favorite place on ND’s campus.
It is a replica of the Grotto in Lourdes where St. Bernadette had
visions of Mother Mary. It is a quiet
place to pray and it is filled with candles.
It is absolutely beautiful.
Following that was a banquet and
awards ceremony. It was long but I truly
enjoyed one of the speakers. Her name is
Holly Jacobs and my favorite part of her speech was “Silver linings always
exist. They don’t take away the rain but
they provide an umbrella.” This resonated with me.
Following this, we visited
another bar of my college days, Finni’s (which actually hasn’t been called this
since like 2004 but no one calls it any other name!). I took an easy that night. Caitlyn and I left a little earlier than the
crowd. It was a crazy weekend and by
this point, I was could have fallen asleep standing up.
The next day was a champagne brunch
and check out. Before I left, I went
around campus and took some pictures and just tried take it all in. I had a little over an hour left before I
needed to be at the airport. I was
debating what to do when I got a text about a death in a family back in
Murrieta. So I returned to the Grotto
and lit a candle for them and then walked a bit at ND.
Of course I was able to make it
to both bookstores and spend plenty of money.
There is something so special about
being a woman who graduated from SMC and there is an understanding among us but
no one quite gets it. It is such a
unique place. I had some of the best and
worst days there. I had some of the best
friendships that started there. I had some
professors that changed my life. Memories
that will truly last a life time. I look
forward to the next time I am on campus.
* Part of the Commencement 2013 speech Carol Ann
that explains SMC a little better than I am able to:
“Remember
Saint Mary’s is not just a College you attended. It is far more than that. Saint Mary’s is our home where a piece of our
selves will reside for all eternity. Saint Mary’s is a mother. And, her arms are
always open to welcome us home. She longs for your next return.”- Jennifer Mathile Prikkel, class of 95
Top: At the Backer and the All Class Party,
Class of 2008!
Bottom: The banquet and Finnie's
The picnic: Caitlyn, Baby Michael, and the
class of 2008 picture
Some of the picture I took of SMC: the
LeMans' Chapel, Le Mans, the end of the Ave, the SMC seal in Spec Unica Hall
and Haggar Hall
Some of ND: the Grotto and the candles I lit,
the Golden Dome and the door at the Basilica
