Empty-nest syndrome
There is something magical that takes place during each orientation weekend. John Quinn and I often are teased by our colleagues when one of us declares with each new class, “This was the best class ever.”
The Spring 2006 class of Chips Quinn Scholars is no exception.
Kristen Smith, Michelle Hedenskoog and I do not have children of our own. So I am unsure if the feelings we experience after each class of Scholars departs on Sunday afternoon can be compared to the empty-nest syndrome many parents feel when their children go off to college. But I have to believe it’s close.
Initially, there is a collective sigh of relief: “Hallelujah, they’re off.” But, no matter how tired or anxious to get home to our families we are, we end up gathered around someone’s desk for a few hours -- recounting the highlights of the weekend, reading the Scholars’ messages to John Quinn on the poster they left behind, and reflecting on the special people we met and the magic we helped to create.
As a way of inviting you to bond with one another, I challenged each of you throughout the weekend to discover what you have in common with one another.
The Spring 2006 class embraced the challenge in a new and different way. But the results were the same. Rick Coca sent me a note: “If you want something that we all had in common … at least one time during our incredible weekend together, we individually looked into the eyes of another Chipster and spoke heartfelt words of encouragement.”
As John Quinn would say, “Amen.”
Go forth and shine your light. And remember: Wherever you are, you are not alone.
The Spring 2006 class of Chips Quinn Scholars is no exception.
Kristen Smith, Michelle Hedenskoog and I do not have children of our own. So I am unsure if the feelings we experience after each class of Scholars departs on Sunday afternoon can be compared to the empty-nest syndrome many parents feel when their children go off to college. But I have to believe it’s close.
Initially, there is a collective sigh of relief: “Hallelujah, they’re off.” But, no matter how tired or anxious to get home to our families we are, we end up gathered around someone’s desk for a few hours -- recounting the highlights of the weekend, reading the Scholars’ messages to John Quinn on the poster they left behind, and reflecting on the special people we met and the magic we helped to create.
As a way of inviting you to bond with one another, I challenged each of you throughout the weekend to discover what you have in common with one another.
The Spring 2006 class embraced the challenge in a new and different way. But the results were the same. Rick Coca sent me a note: “If you want something that we all had in common … at least one time during our incredible weekend together, we individually looked into the eyes of another Chipster and spoke heartfelt words of encouragement.”
As John Quinn would say, “Amen.”
Go forth and shine your light. And remember: Wherever you are, you are not alone.
-- Karen Catone, director, Chips Quinn Scholar Program
posted by Chips Quinn Scholars at 8:56 AM
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