It Ain't Ova Til It's Ova

We just had our last Mid-Career Group Session in the Forum. I was not looking forward to it. I'm feeling slightly morose about my exam results. But more importantly, I was worried that it would just be another time for students to ramble on and for administrators to tell us one more time not to plagarize and to make goals for ourselves. Yawn.

Before the session started, we were all chatting amongst ourselves, when all of a sudden we all heard sharp and bright bagpipe music. We looked up to see a man dressed in full Scottish attire playing the bagpipes. It was already starting out better than I thought. F and M gave their usual raps, the D gave an interesting talk - mostly b/c I hadn't heard him before, L was wonderfully heartfelt and read a wonderful poem and told us about all of the details for the party tonight. And then, the floor was opened. Both P and I were groaning, hoping noone would approach the mike. Then, all of a sudden, Cn went up to the mike. She said that when she heard the bagpipe music it had reminded her of her parents' deaths over the last 5 years since it had been played at their funerals, and then she said that we were now all of her family. Sweet. Then, with only a few exceptions, the people who stood up to speak were int he 50 plus range. It was profound, beautiful, sad and funny.

Lawyer (?) said that he was struck at the respect at the Mid-Career forum when the military guys spoke and the discussion was so different from when he was in college during the Vietnam war from '69 - '73 when there was a lot more antagonism. He felt here there was much more civility.

Amherst (?) blew me away. She first said something to the effect that it's impossible to learn if you think you know to much. Ok, she said it much more eloquently, but it totally hit home. She then revealed that her dad had gone into the hospital last night, and she had packed her bags ready to go see him in the hospital. He had always wanted to go to Harvard medical school but had to forgo his dream to take care of her when she was a child. During the session this afternoon, he told her that if she didn't stay today and tonight for the party that he wouldn't let her in the hospital room. I was crying like a baby at that point.

Older woman (need to track down her name - cropped hair) - went to the mike and said that at age 58 1/2 she feels ok and not humiliated to ask for help in her work...

Another older man stood up and said he was struck by receiving his student ID card because he said he could go to the movies and receive both a student and AARP senior discount.

R from Africa stood up and said that after only having 2 years of math in school, that she is now an expert in math and econ - she said it with such humility, it was beautiful. She then introduced an African women's tradition of formal meeting and greeting and let out a loud trilling whoop. It was amazing.

The prime minister stood up and said that a lot of people had asked him why he's here - if he's already a prime minister. He made some jokes about his age and how nervous he felt when he'd show up to class not having done his homework.

Overall, it was just so great to hear the wisdom and humility of older folks talking about being in school. It really grounds me since I have had this chip on my shoulder about being an old fogie. I need to make room!