marsha stevens
t h o u g h t s a b o u t t h e l i f e s t o r y p r o c e s s
"An oral history is no easy task. When
Kelly Strawderman asked me about working
with her on this project, I felt honored and yet afraid of the journey back in
time. But, I didn't mind talking to Kelly. I have known her for a couple of
years and enjoyed having her as a student assistant in our office. She is a
lovely, young Hollins woman who will be successful in whatever she sets her mind
to do.
Having to answer questions
while being taped made
me nervous. And it seems as if I just rambled on. I've transcribed tapes before,
and it's not a job I ever want to do again. I know Kelly spent a lot of time
transcribing the tape. When I read the 17 pages about me, I realized that I
would to like to organize and edit this "mumbo-jumbo" that is my life.
This was no reflection on Kelly. But this is my life-such as it is-and I want it
to be presented "my way." And Kelly doesn't have that much time.
For me, this
oral history was a bit like opening Pandora's Box. It brought back a lot of
memories-both good and bad. It forced me to consider my relationships-both
positive and negative-and look at my successes and failures. Perhaps it even
helped me understand how and why some of the events happened they way they did.
The oral history made me realize that in spite of the struggles I've had in
life, I am very lucky to have grown up in my family during the baby-boom
generation in the Roanoke Valley. I know
that I have many things for which to be thankful: my faith, my family, and my
friends.
I am also
thankful to be a part of the Hollins
community: a 17-year employee of Hollins and a 1992 Horizon
graduate. Earning my bachelor's degree in
English
from Hollins was a dream come true for me! I only wish I knew how to share that
happy news with my junior year high school English teacher. She would be proud!
Starting college 10 years after graduating from high school was quite daunting
for me. I didn't know if I could do it, but I was at least going to try. It took
a long time, a lot of hard work, and a lot of perseverance-but it was worth it
all!
I realized
while talking with Kelly that I still had some anger and bitterness about some
of the bad times in my life. But I also know that everyone endures hard times,
and that we all need to let go of them and focus on the good times, the positive
things in life. We are responsible for every choice we make, and those early
choices in life do affect all the days of our lives.
Marsha Ayers Stevens '92