Letters to the Editor
I just read the Winter 2009 NewsSmith article
about paths to happiness and wanted to [mention something that readers] may find
interesting.
My husband, a 56–year–old Taoist, had a
stroke in early September. I was amazed at his reaction to becoming suddenly incapacitated
and disabled. At first he could not swallow, saw double or triple, half of his vocal
chords had become paralyzed, and he lost his sense of balance and couldn't walk
(Wallenberg's syndrome).
He accepted what had happened and just kept on going.
Never complained at all, just laid there patiently waiting to get better. Even when
we had a category 3 hurricane and he couldn't move to help me, he did not complain.
He looked at the bright side and maintained his positive attitude with every little
improvement.
Today, five months later, he is back to work part time
and getting better every day. His doctors are amazed at his progress and expect a
full recovery. I do attribute this in large part to his Taoist attitude of acceptance
and positivity.
Life is fun!
Jennifer O'Neill, '80
St. Croix, Virgin Islands
My parents met at HMS (class of 1973) and I graduated
from Smith in 2003, so I have access to alumni publications from both institutions.
I read both the new Newssmith and the March–April Harvard Magazine in
the last twenty–four hours, so it was impossible to miss the fact that both
featured pieces by undergraduate women about doing archival research on Sylvia Plath.
Remarkable!
Brita Zitin '03
In the Spring 2008 issue of NewsSmith I was most
interested in an article about "the good American ladies of Grécourt." My
great aunt, Eoline Church Dubois, was a doctor, and she volunteered her services
in much the same way as the ladies featured in this article. Although Eoline graduated
from Vassar, her lifelong friend was Elizabeth Sherwood, Smith class of 1911.
Eoline Dubois and Elizabeth Sherwood went to France
together to aid the French refugees in 1918, as did the Grécourt ladies. My
aunt wrote a poignant recollection of their experiences upon the death of her friend,
Elizabeth Sherwood, in 1974. I remember reading the article and for the first time
realizing how much that war left its mark on her generation. This seems to be the
message of your article as well.
Mabel (Dubois) Ellis '66
Dover, Massachusetts
Just a belated thank–you for the wonderful Fall
(2009) issue. I can't express how proud I was to be an alumna after reading about
all the great things going on at campus. As my own daughter and many nieces are in
high school, I can't wait to share it with them before they start their own college
searches.
Keep up the good work!
Carla Cataldo '84
Principal, Proposals Etc.
Medway, Massachusetts |
