Make Haste to Be Kind

OLIVER CHAPIN-EISERLOH '18

Mother Whitney concluded every chapel service with a quote: “Life is short. We don't have much time to gladden the hearts of those who walk this way with us. So, be swift to love and make haste to be kind.” — Henri-Frédéric Amiel

This quote stuck with me long after I graduated and continues to guide me. I think that it also captures well the transient nature of the amazing experiences that we are so lucky to have at St. Andrew’s

Ever since I first stepped though the front door of the 31st St. campus back in 2006, St. Andrew's played an important part in the lives of myself and my family. My sister and I were lucky enough to be lifers. When I think back on the twelve years I spent at St. Andrew’s, I have so many fond memories; numerous St. Andrew’s Days, the eighth-grade trip to New York, my junior experience trip to Italy, and Ms. Russell’s class all stand out. However, there was one constant that remained ever-present, and that is chapel. Every day for twelve years, I sat for 30 minutes a day in the chapel with my classmates. Often, it served as nice escape from the August heat of central Texas or a chance to relax in the middle of a packed day. But it was also so much more than that. I remember being engaged in my early years by Father Gerhardt directing live action performances of bible stories, or Father Deleery’s many stories of his time as a priest. Later on, I enjoyed hearing Ms. Brandon’s homilies as she imparted lessons on us. Of course, chapel was sometimes more than just a service. In high school, I remember being entertained by the senior homilies or musical offerings, engaged by the deep wisdoms and life lessons shared to us by Sean Murphy, and always greatly enjoyed Mother Whitney’s thoughtful and often humorous chapel talks. Over my time at St. Andrew’s, chapel was a muchappreciated constant. In an everchanging world, those thirty minutes were a given time of peace and reflection that I grew to appreciate more and more as time passed. I learned many lessons, had many laughs, and enjoyed the rare opportunity to sit down with my entire grade in one place. To come together as a community once a day without fail.

I miss that part of my daily routine. In my work now as student body president at Trinity University, I pull on many lessons and experiences I had in chapel to guide me. But the one that stand out is the importance of community and shared experience. As we return from what has been a rough school year during the COVID-19 pandemic, I have made it my work to revitalize our community though event planning and the creation of shared experience, much like what I experienced every day in chapel.

Oliver Chapin-Eiserloh '18

Helen '21 and Oliver '18 Chapin-Eiserloh