What was the one experience that completely changed your life? What happened? How did it change your life?

I was a little unsure about what I wanted to write about today, so I chose to let WordPress guide me. I pressed the “Inspire Me” link and it posed the question above. Though I would normally press the back button and try again, for whatever reason, I am going to indulge in this cliche, cheezy topic of that one experience that has completely changed my life.

That experience was quitting my job to spend the summer before beginning my MLIS at Pitt, taking care of my grandmother. I could write this in a sentimental, touching way, but I am going to stick with the practical. I had been admitted to Pitt’s MLIS program, and could quit my job whenever I pleased; anytime from April to August. Of course there were financial pros and cons, but more importantly, there were personal well being pros and cons. I decided to compromise, spend a two months more at my job, and the rest of that time with my grandmother. I hadn’t seen her in years, and it was a great time. I think back on my time living with her, in a rural area, in a much calmer environment, and it brings everything back into perspective. 

I come to these thoughts when I get too tied up in all of the issues of archives, libraries, information, etc. When I need a breather from the stresses of graduate studies, work, and internships, I think back to what it means to work with other interested people in archives, libraries, and companies. I come back to the thought that the person or persons behind that intriguing journal article that I’m reading for class is also working with these theories and methodologies, and just trying to improve our field. That inspirational moment for me was revisiting the practical, by getting back to the basics with my grandmother.