Dreams come true

I can confirm that with tons of faith and complete trust in God, He will see to the good of all things. I want to begin by thanking Diane and Don Retzer for this opportunity. Without them, I would not be embarking on this next phase of my life.



I have always wanted to attend college but my childhood prohibited that from happening. Not because of money but because of the lack of educational values of my parents. Times were different for them at that time and did not understand the importance of an education. After graduating from high school I muddled around and finally, on my own, decided to attend J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College. I actually enjoyed but then came love and then again, education was not that important. I attended John Tyler Community College off and on for work related advancements. But it wasn't until this past November that my mind started to wander back to the desire of attending school. Out of the blue, I asked Don if it was possible to attend school at my age (49 at the time) and have it paid for. His reply was, "Yes, that is what Diane does at the University of Richmond." Diane was an advisor for the School of Continuing Studies at University of Richmond. My first thought was, "Right, me attend U of R". I just knew that U of R was out of my league. But out of curiosity I called Diane and set up an appointment.



As I turned off of River Road onto the entrance to U of R, I began to shake. My mind was jumbled up with thoughts. I'm too old for this, I can't afford this, what am I thinking, I am wasting Diane's time. I nervously found my parking spot and went into the building. I asked for Diane and she immediately came out of her office. We sat down and chatted about what I would like to study. There were several options and we decided that the Liberal Arts Program would suit my needs more so than the others. She asked about my past college enrollments and I told her about the few credits that I had. I actually had no idea what I had so she advised me to get my transcripts from both colleges. I completed the paper work, met with the Dean and upon leaving his office he extended his hand and welcomed me to the University of Richmond. He was very kind and encouraging.



On February 14th I received my acceptance letter from University of Richmond. I sat here in total disbelief. I simply couldn't believe it. It actually took my breath away. So then I went about searching for scholarships, funding, and grants. Diane was very instrumental in guiding me in the right direction. Finally I received word that I had received the Pell Grant. I still applied for the student loans just in case the scholarships did not come through.



On July 7th I applied for my classes. On Mondays I will be taking English 201U, Strategic Reading. It is designed to support the development of critical reading skills across content areas. A transactional model of reading will be examined to enhance the importance of active, engaged reading for comprehension. Then on Thursdays I will be taking IDST 301U, The Realm of Ideas I: Context and Chronology. It is an introduction to selected major ideas in ancient and modern world history, including philosophies, systems of beliefs, political ideologies and concepts of social order; institutions through which the ideas have been manifested and implemented; methodologies used in the academic disciplines examined. WOW. Just reading that sends me into total confusion, but Diane said that I could do it.

Then last week I received my parking sticker in the mail! Wow, I am officially a spider! I have the parking sticker! Hurray. So with that being said I decided that I needed to learn my way around campus. The few times I have ridden around I got totally lost. So yesterday I got up, got my trusty little U of R map and headed across the river. I knew I could only park in certain places but with ease I found my assign lot. The day was beautiful. The air was soft and bright. The trees were green and welcoming. I parked the car and sat there for a moment. I decided to have a conversation with Diane. Even though Diane would not be here to see this day, I knew that she would not leave me stranded. So I said, "Diane, please help me. We have come this far and I really don't know what to do". I got out of the car and just started walking. The first building I came to was Rylan Hall, this is where I will be taking my Thursday class. Well I went into the first door I came to, well it was the back door. As I was looking around a nice young woman asked me if I needed any help and I told her what I was looking for. She informed me that I had come in the back door and she very kindly took me right to my class, which was on the second floor. She told me that if I would come in the "front door" it would be easier. I didn't dare go into the classroom, I wanted to wait for that feeling on Thursday. So I departed out the front door and found that I was totally turned around. So I found a sitting around in this beautiful gardens and I sat down and pulled out my map. I found my "You are Here" spot and surveyed the area. Weinstein Hall was just across the courtyard. My two classes were right beside each other! So I walked over there but couldn't remember the instructors name, but at least I found the building. So I felt relieved. Now I needed to find the bookstore and the cafe, the real important things. So I went back to my sitting area and pulled out my map and figured that I needed the head "thata way". I felt like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz. "Follow the Yellow Brick Road". Everyone that I came in contact with said hello. Then I saw a group of very, very young students coming towards me. I knew then I was headed in the right direction. Sure enough, it was the building that held the bookstore and the cafe.

I went to the bookstore and asked the young attendants if I needed a student ID card. They were clueless but said that the ID department was on the next floor. So I headed up there and there was this HUGE sign stating "Student ID". So I went inside and explained that I was starting on Monday and needed to know if I needed an ID card, she told me to stand in front of the blue curtain and snap, I had my University of Richmond Student ID card. Bam!

So then I had to go back to the bookstore to look around. I didn't need any books because I purchased my books, used, off of Amazon.com. But I just had to buy something. So I purchased a Movie Trivia book for a friend who was having a birthday. Everything with U of R on it was out of my league. Then they had the Vera Bradley handbags. Maybe one day I will purchase a U of R sweatshirt, but not right now. Then I went to the cafe. Again, I just had to make my first purchase. So I ordered a sausage biscuit and a small coke. $3.04. More than my usual Hardee's breakfast. But hey, it's U of R. So I sat down and found that I was so nervous that I couldn't stay settled long enough to eat the whole thing. I wanted to explore some more.

As I was exiting the building, I headed back from where I had come and couldn't believe that it wasn't actually that far apart from everything that I need. There are hills and slopes to climb, this will help my exercising. Everyone was wonderful. I was hot and sweaty. I got back to my car, sat there for awhile, thanking God for all the blessings in which He was given me and then I thanked Diane for being with me.

All of this has been the easy part, now I have to do it. I must say that my mind is not trained for studying, my attention span is limited, my confidence level is low, but my determination is high.

I figured it will take me ten years to get my degree in Liberal Arts. I am beginning this journey at 50 and what a way to go out. I really don't know what I want to be when I grow up, but that piece of paper means everything to me. And it really isn't about the piece of paper, but the experiences along the way that are important. The kindness of others, the challenges of the days, the drive to excel, and the rewards in the end.

So let's pack that book bag (compliments of Emmy Campbell), and head to school. I will keep you posted! Don't wish me luck, just keep me in your prayers. Luck has nothing to do with it.