Journal Project #5: Lean on Me... 09.16.2016

Function at Alpine Grove, 1991

I have been thinking a lot about my college days these past couple of weeks – with our 25^th reunion happening next weekend, it IS kind of hard not to.

 

Lately, it seems that just about everything has some kind of connection with Riv.

 

For example, I was at the grocery store last Sunday and I came to a complete stop when Club Nouveau's "Lean on Me" came over the speakers. I haven't heard that song in years, but it still takes me back to 1991, to Rivier... and I remember some of the best women I would ever know as if we just parted days ago.

 

"Lean on Me" was never a song that I would have listened to on my own, I am and have always been a alternative rock girl. But... this song took on a life of it's own at Rivier functions. As Rivier was an all-women college at the time, most of the functions had very little or no men in attendance. So dances ended up being  group dances and this song would be the one in which everyone would gather in a circle, put their arms around each other's waists and dance together.

 

I remember it as a song about friendship. Of unbreakable bonds. Of sisterhood.

Shoreline at Wachusett Reservoir

 

I still feel that way today.

I will not have an opportunity to see everyone at next week's reunion, but I do have plans to meet up with several friends very soon - for some, it has been far, far too long between visits. It will be great to reconnect, catch up and have some laughs about our college days... and for those I will not be able to see next weekend, there will be other reunions and, I hope, other chances to meet again...

I created most of Journal #5: Lean on Me at the Wachusett Reservoir. I had the entire shoreline to myself for most of the afternoon and I wanted this week's picture to remind me of the feeling of just being... and of the eternal nature of water.

A couple of years ago I saw the 2007 mini-series "Riverworld" based on Jose Philip Farmer's story about a fictional world that is essentially one endless river and that you could meet anyone from any point in time along it's shores. For some reason, I thought of Riverworld that afternoon and the ideas that have fascinated me since I first saw the mini-series.

 

 

 

The final piece did not come out as I had intended, but, then again, they rarely do. This one was another "happy accident" and the ideas behind it will have a chance to develop in another piece.

 

Happy 25th Reunion, Rivier Class of 1991

 

Jenn White

White Rooster Studios