Sister Marie, Forever In My Heart

My favorite college professor, Sister Marie Brinkman, passed away yesterday. It was in her class at University of Saint Mary (then Saint Mary College) that I realized I was in over my head. For the first time in a classroom, I was completely out of my depth. She talked of books I had never heard of, fused literature, history, politics, and religion effortlessly and made herself laugh while doing it.  I will never forget that feeling of overwhelm, stupidity, and complete fear. I will also never forget the feeling of eventually being able to hold my own in one of her classes. The act of bravely raising my hand, and contributing and engaging with confidence was such a confirmation of growth, intellect, and identity development. 

I took Dante from her my senior year. Some students were less than thrilled by the topic. She soothed concern by baking us lemon bars.  She had a hoooot ( hot, hot,- really H-O-T) Italian army general come to class and read to us in Italian. I'll never forget looking around the room at my classmates with powdered sugar on their lips and mouths agape while he read.  Smart woman. Smart, smart woman-in so many wonderful ways. No other Dante class in America was as interesting as hers. Of course the class went much deeper. I still have a very weathered version of the Divine Comedy with my 20 year old notes in it. When I re-read it, I remember all the feels of her classroom. 

I realize in my reflection that she, along with other Sisters of Charity who formed my undergraduate experience, influence my work on a daily basis. My life is dedicated to helping students see their worth, acknowledge their gifts and talents,  and bring their goals into fruition through choices in life and their education path. Often,  students come to me with experiences in classrooms that scarred them.  They endured teachers who have challenged them in unhealthy ways, talked down to them, or underestimated their abilities. 

I also have students who have yet to be challenged.  They find school boring,  pointless, and think of it as a medieval torture device. Both scenarios are hurtful, create pain, and sometimes inflict long lasting scars. For all of my students,  there is a Sister Marie out there for you. Someone who knows how to challenge your intellect while honoring your soul growth and fostering who you will become. Take it from me-it is well worth the wait. Keep pushing forward until you find that person. A masterful educator who ignites a love of learning that lives in all of us. Someone who believes in the human spirit while understanding the human condition. Someone who is hella smart and backs it up with lemon bars and hot Italian generals, gifting you classroom memories you will never forget.  

Some of my friends and I have commiserated about not thanking Sister Marie appropriately. While my heart hurts, I also know that there are no words that would have fully reached the level of gratitude and love I have for her. Sister Marie- thank you. Fly high, lady. Fly high.