reflection
I wandered through the streets, coated with the honey tint of daybreak, peering through windows displaying delicate statues of the Virgin Mary, sugar crystals from a tarte au sucre still glistening on my fingertips. I reached a river, where buildings of many windows crowded together, strips of apricot, peach, and gold. More beautiful than even this display of collaged color swatches, however, was its reflection in the soft ripples of the river below. Whereas above, the buildings colors stood like soldiers, in the water they were free to dance and mingle, creating something altogether new.
It was in this moment-- at dawn in Lyon, Paris while I waited for my cousin to disembark his train and remind me of home in Florida-- that I realized the complicated splendor of reflection, in its literal and figurative sense. I hope to capture this effect as I consider my four years at the University of Florida, allowing the collaged color swatches of my experiences to become dancing ripples of color that inform one another.
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When I began my time at UF, I truly was a different person. I know this is a cliché but I have always believed that clichés are clichés for a reason: we know they are often true. I had high hopes for my college experience which, fortunately, did not come to pass because I would not change that which has taught me invaluable lessons.
My first three semesters at UF were trying-- I could not seem to find my place on campus. Still, propelled by a strong friendship carried to UF from high school (my roommate, Camryn, who I lived with all through college) and desire for adventure, I took a risk and applied to study abroad. Studying abroad had always been a dream for me and was only made possible by my Benacquisto Scholarship from the State of Florida and my study abroad scholarship from UF's International Center, for which I am truly grateful.
My time in Sevilla was life-changing. It was not, however, a fairy-tale-- I was not transported to a magical dimension where my problems no longer existed. However, I, for the first time in my life, was forced to face these problems alone, a challenge I have always met with long walks. It was no different in Sevilla, where I strolled, sat, and sometimes nearly skipped through the city.
I learned the value of mental health and endurance during my late-night walks along the Guadalquivir. I learned the importance of family as I ate castañas asadas in the park. I learned the emotional power of music as I stood, shivering in line for Rosalías free concert in Madrid. I learned about friendship as I ate gofres with Mary and listened to jazz in a dimly lit café with Ana Isabel. I learned most of all, about both the strength of independence and the beauty of interdependence as, time and time again, I took a deep breath, looked behind and around me, and moved forward.
I brought this energy, an invaluable gift, back home with me to Florida where I embraced the world around me with renewed hope. I added my Art History and Religion coursework to my schedule and threw myself into friendships with my roommates, learning to cook, developing my art and business, and pursuing my interests.
Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic cut my time in Gainesville short; still, it did not cut me off from life lessons and gave me precious time with my parents, extended family, and siblings. I developed a love for nature and folk medicine, guided by my father. I cherished time with my mother, to whom I owe so much. I most profoundly, uncovered a love for children and foster care through my sister, her husband, and her precious babies. I also devoted much of my time to exploring my interests in language, Brazil, religion, and ancient Andean Art through my honors theses.
Overall, my time at UF was truly a collage of colored experiences like the building along that river in Lyon. It was a ground for growth that provided me kind people, exciting opportunities, and tough challenges. The people who shared my college experience with me along the way-- friends and family both old and new-- point me towards the reflection of these experiences, to the way their colors mix and dance and create. They remind me that the surfaces and exteriors of experience can-- if you're willing-- invite you to explore deeper wells of life and adventure. I am forever grateful to UF and my people for this lesson that I will carry with me deeper and farther.
They had been living so long on surface feeling that they had forgotten deeper wells of life existed ...
Charles Sheldon
I want to thank Iris, Mary, Ana Isabel, Camryn, Sofia, Sydney, Michelle, Mom, Dad, Morgan, Alec, Grandma, Aunt Mary, Aunt Bon, Uncle Chris, Emily and my sister's children for enriching my life and reminding me that deeper wells of life exist.