If these walls could talk, what would they say? Looking around my own room, I imagine the LeMans' women of over 100 years ago. Oh, how these walls would have seemed so different to them, than they do to me now. Sitting at my desk, I feel so serious, almost confined by it. But then I think of what this desk meant for those Belles some 100 years ago.
When I sit, I am reminded of all the work I have to finish. When they sit, they are reminded of all the work they have the opportunity to do. When I sit, I am unaffected when 3 people walk in the room. When they sit, 3 people in the room would surely shake them, as they still try to become comfortable with the idea that they no longer need to hide their thirst for knowledge.
I think of what this room would have represented to those women. When they walk in, they see a chance. When I walk in, I see a place I can decorate. When they wake up, they see a day to embrace filled with hope and opportunity. When I wake up, I see a tired face and a bed to make.
I think of what the roommates must have discussed. I imagine that their obligation to study for philosophy or literature would have sparked interest and excitement, yet I feel obligated to pretend it is a chore. I casually complain about how many hours I have to spend in the library, when those women would have jumped halfway to the moon for such a chance.
Thinking of what these walls would say about me makes me slightly ashamed. What sacrifice had I made to be here? Sure, I worked hard in high school, and dedicated hours of my time to community service, but those women, they faced a society. This is why I study this room. Every corner, every nook, I study it because it tells their story. And if I am smart enough to recognize how lucky I am to be here, these walls will someday tell my story too.
I guess, in a way, these walls do speak to me.
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3 comments:
Colleen
I loved reading your post! You make a great point. It is amazing to think about how much we take for granted. Women even a mere 50 years ago would have had so much more appreciation for all they accomplished. Women in this day and age have come so far because of the women forerunners in past societies. They were resolute in their convictions and were able to achieve so much which is so easy for us to forget in everyday activities.
I was actually thinking the same thing. I wrote a paper with this idea in high school. We had just moved and I wrote a short story about how our old house was adjusting to the fact that a new, young family had moved in. Anyway, I enjoyed reading it!
Colleen, great blog! I've always thought about if walls could talk what they would say... who's stories they loved to tell, who's they cried over... Walls encompass so much of our lives but not just literally! ... well yeah, kudos
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