LADING

Full Circle

 

On a recent visit to my sister’s art studio, this sign greeted me.

In 1978 I was assigned to Ox College “3 South” corridor.  The all girls freshman dorm, located one mile from campus, was the dreaded dorm room assignment. Even my waitlisted high school girlfriend was relieved to be given commuter status rather than receive my dorm draw. 

I laugh at the tears my eighteen-year-old self shed over my terrible luck. What lemonade I have enjoyed from that “lemon!”  This blog is a collaborative effort of three fellow Ox College corridor friends.  We only were at Miami University together for one year — but that year, this trio!  Our friendship has taken twists and turns. It has had periods (years, even) of silence, bursts of communication, moments of incomparable sadness, joy, worry and hope.   We three have traveled our own paths but they have merged along the way in a most timely, delightful way.  

It is only fitting that the place of our acquaintance should have undergone a remarkable transformation as well. Ox College is playing out its next act as a community arts center.  Third floor rooms have traded in their students for artists.  Even more serendipitously, my artistic sister Christine (who lives in North Carolina) recently decided to rent one such studio because she would be spending much time in Oxford throughout the year visiting her local daughter and family. Imagine our astonishment at discovering the room she was assigned for her art studio, was… yep, you guessed it: 3 South, and my old dorm room! God-wink, coincidence, synchronicity.  Call it what you will. I call it marvelous.

 

My sister in her studio aka my freshman dorm room

 

Helen

Helen

I dance like nobody's watching. I dream a lot, especially during the day. I love change, have a short attention span, and am on a continual quest to learn.

(5) Comments

  • Kathy Pfeiffer
    November 3, 2018 at 1:42 pm

    That is so cool! Amazing!!!

    • Helen
      Helen
      November 3, 2018 at 5:29 pm

      Thanks, Kathy. I know you know a little about connecting with a sister!

  • Laura Chiesman
    November 10, 2018 at 12:45 pm

    I have real goosebumps Helen!!! Thank you for the gift of this post! I treasure the many years (decades!) of friendship and connection the three of us have shared. Love you both!

  • Carol
    January 30, 2019 at 7:54 pm

    Memories of Ox College south! Many friendships born there though most forgotten or simply disconnected. Helen, FUD sister, your writing is reminiscent of golden days gone by. How rewarding your sister creating artful beauty in the location of our foundation of extended education-and I mean extended! I’m delighted in reading these pieces written by such lovely ladies-former Ox College South inhabitants.

    • Helen
      Helen
      February 1, 2019 at 3:42 pm

      YAY, Carol, and glad to have you on board. So nice to reconnect.

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