Thank you

I have learned many things in my time here at Notre Dame. One of these is that properly expressing depth of feeling with language is entirely impossible. I could sit here and write and re-write line after line of this farewell, but no matter what I say it likely will fall short of expressing how absurdly grateful I am for those who have made the past four years of my life what they were.

But, with that being said, here goes.

I would like to tell my parents how much I appreciate the endless opportunities they have worked to give me. Thank you, Dad, for encouraging me to follow my passion as a Program of Liberal Studies (PLS) major. Thank you, Mom, for ensuring that I always have what I need.

I would like to convey to my professors how thoroughly their teachings have changed my life. How sitting in a seminar classroom discussing the ideas of humanity’s greatest thinkers gave me a rush of joy and fulfillment that made every late night in the library worth it.

I would like to tell my friends how much they mean to me. How their goodness, intelligence and willingness to adventure has given me some of the best moments of my life. I would like to convey how they saved me in my hardest times, and made life worth living when we couldn’t stop laughing together.

I would like to tell my fellow PLS majors how they have inspired and challenged me to become a woman of integrity, and taught me to be willing to constantly check and recheck my thinking. I would like to thank them for strengthening my empathy impulse and helping me to acknowledge the love I am called to have for every single human being.

I would like to thank my sister for her unceasing generosity and support.

I would like to thank my Walsh Hall roommate for helping me through my worst and lifting me at my best.

I would like to thank you, who hopefully know who you are, for meeting me where I am, telling me who you are and staying my friend through it all.

I would like to thank my Notre Dame women’s club volleyball teammates for the strength they gave me.

I would like to thank the staff of The Observer for teaching me how to stand confidently by my decisions.

I would like to thank Notre Dame for your beauty and strength of spirit.

And I would like to thank God, who ultimately is the source of all goodness.

So, yes, there is no way that I could totally sum up how appreciative I am for the experiences I have had at this school. But I pray that this does, in a small way, let some of those who matter most to me know how incredibly they have changed my life. I love you all very much.

Thank you.

 

Mary Freeman is graduating with a bachelors degree from the Program of Liberal Studies. She will be spending the summer with her family before beginning to work in Chicago next year. She can be contacted at mfreemannds@gmail.com