Hi there! My name is Maddie Ediger, I’m from Spokane, Washington, and I am an Applied Math major with a Biochemistry concentration and minors in Social Justice and Leadership Studies. Outside of Setons, I work for the Gonzaga Student Body Association as the Community Engagement Coordinator, I serve as a CLC leader through Mission and Ministry alongside one of our lovely Social Chairs, Miss Lauren, and I am a part of Delight Ministries. One of the huge perks of staying in your hometown for college is that you know where all the good coffee spots are, and I’m not sure if coffee is an official love language or not, but if it could be it would be mine. So whether it’s to finish up some homework, catch up with an old friend, or maybe to just get off campus for a little bit, our local coffee shops serve as home base for me. If you are ever looking for a friend to find a new coffee shop with, I’m your gal!
The pillar that I have the honor of reflecting on is sisterhood, and to be honest, the sisterhood I have found in Setons is what has gotten me through one of the hardest semesters I’ve had to go through. I came into Setons really afraid that I wouldn’t find anyone, that those who came in with pre-established friend groups would fit in better than I would, or that I simply wouldn't be cool enough to be accepted by some of the most amazing girls that call this campus home. Yet, slowly but surely, I couldn't have been proved more wrong. It happened when Katie Jo asked me if I knew any good hiking spots, and on the switchbacks at sunset I began to find a fun-loving, joyful and encouraging friend in our Social Chair queen. It happened again when Georgia, Macy, and I started grabbing dinner together after our weekly service. Three girls who had busy lives and homework to get back to made an unspoken decision that spending time together offered a break from the stresses of school that we cherished more than another hour with our flash cards. When Lucia and I got to have real conversations over flower picking, Karli insisted on coffee just to get to know me, Lauren brought flowers on what she didn't know had been a really hard day, Devyn gave the kindest Sister Shoutout, Sam sent me a sweet birthday wish, Renee and I turned a 30 minute sister date into an hour long one, Keely became the best partner in crime, Olivia made our religion class something to look forward to, Andie was always ready with a hug... I could go on and on. What Setons has given me is something I think we are all searching for as humans: a place to belong. This sense of belonging is an active choice that 30 girls make each and every week as we give our time to our community, to our club, and to each other. We weren’t handed a sisterhood, we’ve chosen to craft it with the understanding we have the chance at something special here, and none of us want to pass it up. In a period of time where I have struggled to understand why I deserve to belong anywhere, I have been incredibly blessed by a sisterhood that reminds me day in and day out that I belong right here. And for that, all I have to say is thank you.
PS: Great minds think alike! The picture is from our social out at Greenbluff, and clearly, we had an overalls theme going!
Comments
Post a Comment