The following letter was written by members of the Class of 1982 to the Class of 2012 during Alumnae Reunion Weekend. During their class meeting on Saturday afternoon, they each took the time to write their words of love, encouragement and advice to the most recent class of Meredith College alumnae. Below you will see their thoughts and notes complied into one letter. We hope that you will all enjoy reading these words from the 30th anniversary class!
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Dear Graduates,
Recently the Class of 1982 held their 30th reunion, and as part of their class meeting they took a few minutes for each woman to write her best advice to each of you. It does not seem like thirty years have passed since we left Meredith, and while we were probably told each tidbit we are about to share with you, it is only thirty years later that we truly see the wisdom. So, we are a bit older (definitely) and a bit wiser (hopefully). Here is or perspective thirty years later.
Make the effort to stay connected to your classmates…
- Take time out of your life to stay in touch with your friends. Life goes so fast and you never know what tomorrow holds!
- Stay I touch with your Meredith friends! They will become MORE and MORE important to you.
- Work hard to stay in touch with the closest friends you made while at Meredith.
- Always make time for your friends-keep them close!
- Cherish your friends. Keep in touch over the years-they will always be your sisters throughout life.
- Stay in touch! Make connections within and outside Meredith.
- Stay in touch with your Meredith friends. Stay true to yourself-follow your dreams!
- Cherish the wonderful friendships you have made at Meredith. These relationships will sustain you for the rest of your life. Embrace the sisterhood!
- Truly invest in your friendships while you’re here. Because they will still be your friends in 30 years and they will remind you of things you forget.
- Always cherish your Meredith family. They will always be there to share the joys and sorrows in your life. Live your life!
- Treasure your friendships, making time to enjoy and nurture those very special relationships!
- Keep in touch with your college girlfriends-They will be friends for life. Keep pictures to share at reunions.
- Keep in touch with your Meredith friends. You will help each other through the good times and bad. Our Meredith friendships are precious!
- Keep in touch with your friends and treasure them. These are friendships that will last you a lifetime.
- Keep your Meredith friends close to your heart. Attend all the reunions that you can.
Follow your heart…
- Be a sponge and absorb all the life experiences you can!
- Stay focused and pursue your dreams, girls!
- People tell you what they want you to hear-make decisions on people based on what they “show you” – not what they say.
- Follow your heart; do something you love.
- Always be true to yourself and follow your dreams.
- Be true to yourself; speak your truth in love.
- Find something that you are totally passionate about and do it all you can. Pour yourself into it. This passion will make life worth living at times when things aren’t going the way you want them to.
- Do something you love-if you have a job you love, then you will never work a day in your life.
- Always follow your passion regardless of where it might lead you.
- You can do it all, just not at the same time. Be patient. Breathe. Enjoy every moment. Love!
- You can’t do it all-so enjoy what you do.
- Take advantage of any and all opportunities for adventure—jobs, travel, etc. The opportunities may never present themselves again-seize the moment!
- “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; lean not on your own understanding. But in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Don’t burn bridges….
- Treat everyone the way you want to be treated. You will never know when you will run into someone again and need something from them.
- Be nice to everyone you meet; the people you meet on your way up are the same ones you will pass if you stumble and fall.
- Anything you do to help someone else benefits you as much as it does the other person.
- Continue to keep an open mind (as you’ve learned at Meredith), so that you help our society grow more inclusive and less exclusive.
- Live, love (your fellow man), and laugh (good medicine)!
- Hang in there; this too will pass!
- Trust your gut and this too shall pass.
- You don’t always have to be perfect, just perfectly honest. If people lose their trust in you, it may never be regained.
- Never give up no matter what. Work through it because it is not impossible.
- Mistakes happen → move on!
- The only thing you have total control over is your attitude (and the way you approach things).
- Don’t worry – be happy! Trust God…He is in control of all things (Romans 8:28).
Slow Down and Enjoy!
- Don’t work too hard. When the end of your life comes nobody ever says, “I wish I’d worked more hours.” Take time to do the fun stuff.
- Have fun!! Work hard, but find the time to play!
- Don’t be in a hurry – appreciate everything, good and bad, because everything changes eventually, good and bad.
- Don’t be afraid – just go for it!!! Also, this too shall pass!
- Remember – TIME is the great equalizer.
- Relax and breathe and laugh and enjoy each and everything. When things get hard, do the same. Do not worry about things, pray about them.
And so in closing…. Wear sunscreen, floss, be grateful, give love and mercy, and keep asking questions, and live your one, wild, precious life well every day.
Love,
The Meredith College Class of 1982
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