Letters
Letters to the Editor Dear Editor,
Dear Editor,
I just felt the need to reach out based on Sister Maureen’s Easter Message. I was a graduate student when the atrocities of 9/11 occurred. I had just found out that my husband and I were expecting our third child. And while this child was planned and loved from the start, we all of a sudden became scared. What kind of world are we raising our other two children in? What will it be like for this unborn child when they become part of our everyday world? One thing I remember implicitly was that I was going to head into class later that week. I am a Jewish American woman who is, and was, very active in my faith-based and synagogue community. However, even with my community, in that time of the unknown, so many were asking questions. Where was God? How could this possibly happen if there is a God? As expected, our clergy reached out and allowed us to walk with them as we either trusted that God was there, or continued to question the existence of a higher being. But what stands out to me is that feeling of comfort when I walked onto this campus. I was surrounded by so many with the same questions and, without a doubt, a love of faith. As a Jewish woman, I felt the presence of God as I walked into class that night. I felt as though just being in a space that is surrounded by nature, love and faith, would help me through all the worry that I felt. I knew that my older children would be okay and that we would continue to educate and love them and answer all their questions. And most importantly, I KNEW that my unborn child would be born into a new world in which we were about to embark on that was always going to be filled with love. I just want to thank ALL of you who continue to educate and love the people in our collective Holy Family community. This, too, will eventually come to a new normal and we will be able to move forward in our lives and in our faith.
Two years ago, I graduated cum laude from Holy Family after seven years of going part-time. I wish I could have bottled the feelings. Happiness, accomplishment, possibility…pure joy. It is now two years, one layoff, two long job searches, and one “almost-but-not-quite-new-job” later (thanks COVID-19). I could sure use those May 2018 feelings right about now! But, I know things will get better. I am forever proud of my degree, of myself, and of those years working and “momming” and studying and going to classes. I’m grateful that I was able to walk across the stage at commencement. My thoughts are with all of those 2020 graduates that can’t experience that this year. But, it’s funny, I don’t remember what was going through my head while I walked across the stage. That wonderful cocktail of feelings had started the moment I attended my last class and handed in my final paper. It continued for weeks after commencement. So, no matter what, walking or not, you’ll always remember the feelings, you’ll always remember the accomplishment, you’ll always remember feeling proud. Sincerely, Angela Smith ’18
Sincerely, Stefanie H. (Polin) Belitsky MEd ’04
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SUMMER / 2020
