Becoming Prudence Sand

Four plus decades ago, I embarked on a graduate program in comparative literature. I was joined by a small cohort of equally earnest twenty-somethings and by... Prudence Sand.  At the time, Prudence seemed both ancient and eccentric to the rest of us. (I've since discovered she was in her mid sixties at the time, a long-time widow, and an accomplished poet.) The rest of us were intent on becoming college professors and shaping young minds. Apparently, Prudence was simply interested in learning for its own sake.

A few years later, I decided that a career in academia wasn't my cup of tea and left graduate school behind for a more pragmatic career, first in government, then in business. And I forgot all about Prudence Sand.

My career progressed, and we started a family.  Like many young working mothers, I loved my hectic life but bemoaned the complete lack of "me time." My only reading was either bed-time stories or work-related material. Not a good juicy novel in sight. I used to tell the occasional college student I met "Enjoy every minute of being a full-time student. You'll never again have the luxury just to read and learn."

Fast-forward 25 years and I find that "never again" threat to by an empty one. I do have the time and the luxury just to read and learn. Actually going back to school isn't really an option right now. I need flexibility to help with our grandkids and travel the world. Instead, I've embarked on a self-directed "masters of eclectic knowledge." I read widely and voraciously and enjoy it immensely. Learning just for the sake of learning. Lucky me.  I've become Prudence Sand.