Getting Educated

Written for the 6/16/2009 Edition of Andrea's Random Thoughts:

As I awoke early on Saturday morning for the start of two new classes in my degree program, I thought about the funeral that I would have to miss that day. Due to the stringent rules of the program, missing a day would result in a significant grade reduction for the six-week course, and so I needed to seriously weigh the consequences. I had taken off a Saturday for my daughter’s prom in May (which I do not in any way regret), but I certainly saw the effects of my absence.


Micro-economics for five hours in the morning may sound dreadful (as would any class for that duration), but it turned out to be quite refreshing and the time passed fairly quickly. I know that she was in favor of women receiving as much education as possible, so I am sure that she would have understood why I wasn’t at the service. As we went around the room introducing ourselves in class and I listened to my classmates’ stories, it was clear that there are people really struggling out there with choices and decisions that I could only imagine. The core of the class is, of course, the economy and its micro effect on every level, and so we started off talking about some of the difficult choices that women have to make. If only she had been able to talk about how she was feeling and then perhaps she would have known that there was a better way.

Most of the women talked about job issues and the financial concerns which go along with going back to school, while some struggled with paying for their children’s tuition at the same time—all while trying to afford groceries. Some young women are caring for their parents and siblings while working full time and attending school. Some had moved back in with their parents to save money. It was clear that we all had one thing in common—we all value our education and are making a sacrifice for it. While listening to these stories, I couldn’t help but think about my friend who left her family and a teenage daughter behind. It’s easy for people to say that it’s a selfish thing to do, but sometimes we never really know the pain that someone else is going through until it’s too late. My heart went out to one woman in the class who lost her job a few months ago and who deals with health problems that have yet to be properly diagnosed and treated. The class exercise was very useful, as it brought us out of our own little worlds and reassured everyone that regardless of our struggle, we are by no means alone. A support group or a micro-economics class—a bonding, thought-provoking, educational experience just the same.

As a young mother who had gone through so much and achieved so much by the age of 33, my friend devoted her time, her work, and her heart to the social causes which meant the most to her. It seemed that everything she did had a meaningful purpose. I am not sure how many of us can say that about our own life. As I looked around the classroom and then at the clock on the wall, I realized that the funeral had probably started and I wished that someone would find a clue to her mystery. It had been a few years since I last spoke to her, but what I do remember about our conversations always stayed with me. Though there is no complete answer to explain her decision, one thing is perfectly clear--we need to step outside of our own problems and pay more attention to those around us. Do something nice for someone today—for no reason other than it’s the right thing to do. Even if it means just listening, you might be helping in ways that you never imagined.