I’m sitting quietly at Lagomarcino courtyard, sipping on my cappuccino, on the bench and recalling fond memories of my life here. I have been reflecting on my journey at Iowa State since my graduation has been drawing near. I am surprised by all the fond little memories that have enriched my life, and I have had a lot of memories in this courtyard. They roll through my mind like vignettes….
My first weekend at Iowa State, my roommate and I took our cameras and shot pictures of us in the beauty of our new surroundings. I fell madly in love with the iron gates. I took this photo that had one opening toward me with the sunlight beaming through the doors as if they were opening for me, letting me into the next chapter of my life. It became my background and inspiration for the next school year...
The next summer, I remember sitting in the courtyard on lunch break with my co-worker, eating sandwiches and enjoying nature. We were chatting and becoming better friends. I remember laughing at her, sitting on a wet bench and kicking off our shoes. An energetic chipmunk kept running in and out of the bushes and around the benches. Its courage finally grew so it came close to us, so we broke pieces of our bread and laid them on the ground for it to eat...
Standing in the bitter cold, hands full of black plastic and red ribbon, as group of students trying hard to cover the sculpture Madonna of the Prairie in a pretty way. We had one person holding the roll of black plastic and another running in and out of the people trying to hold it all in place. Folding the plastic in place and taping a sign about “A Day without Art” and a red ribbon to top off the display. Then we moved to the mural on the wall which was well above my small 5’2’’ frame, trying to see if there was even a way to attempt to shroud this masterpiece. However, the bitter weather made the tape impossible to attach to the brick wall of Lagomarcino. So giving up we moved on with the shrouding demonstration...
I remember the dedication of a newer Art on Campus sculpture. I was in the courtyard the day before with the magnolia blossoms falling like feathers, lining the sidewalk like a wedding aisle. But today it was chilling and the spring rain had soaked the petals to the ground. Crowds of people stand hidden under a sea of umbrellas. The rain started to fall harder so the dedication ceremony sought shelter under the outdoor corridors around the courtyard...
A smile spread across my face as these seemingly pointless, fragmented memories flew through my mind. I glance at the newer sculpture as I remember the soggy dedication day. She was the Best Listener is the name of the bird bath sculpture. It has stacks of books. The books are what catch my attention as I have always been brought up believing that books are the portal to yourself and the world. My parents used to read to my brothers and I every night as toddlers and when we became older we would read the books together. They encouraged us at every book fair to pick at one that grabs our eye and in school I always had one of the highest reading hours logged. A small chuckle escaped my lips, as I remember sticky situations involving that curious monkey named George. I loved those books. My brothers shared their love of the stories with me, however I was always more partial to the man in the yellow hat. I’m not sure if it is because he worked at a museum, or because he always said the most bizarre things, or the mere fact that he wore so much yellow and didn’t care what others thought about it. I just loved when he said, “The real way to learn anything is to go out and experience it and let your curiosity lead you.” This is something that I took to heart.
Looking at the other books I saw a few more classics, which brought back memories. For example, Jo March in Little Women has always been an inspiration to me - her spunky spirit and the fact she always stayed true to who she was. I loved her fiery passion and her direct view on the world. “I find it poor logic to say that because women are good, women should vote. Men do not vote because they are good; they vote because they are male, and women should vote, not because we are angels and men are animals, but because we are human beings and citizens of this country.” She was definitely a role model to me as I grew up. Her views on equality for women, her protectiveness of her family and their good name, and her openness to say she does not fit into the world, helped mold my views on my own life. As an artist myself, I adored her creativity… “Late at night my mind would come alive with voices and stories and friends as dear to me as any in the real world. I gave myself up to it, longing for transformation,” Jo explained. I too longed for transformation from reality and into a fantasy world many times growing up. I wanted to escape into the worlds of the books I read.
It is funny how one little place or one little public art, can spark so many fleeting memories. Memories at the mere moments seem unimportant but years later those are the memories that bring a smile to your face and warmth your heart. I treasure all my memories, good and bad, because it has made me the way I am. With those memories, books I have read will also direct my life; whether it provides me with encouragement, advice, ideas or an escape from the stressful world. I have embraced my little memories that I have acquired throughout my adventure at Iowa State and will hold them close to my heart as I start my next journey outside the beautiful grounds of the campus.
As I get up from my bench, I notice the saying on the top of the beautiful sculpture, “Don’t wait say it today.” That simple but powerful message will go with me as well. Sometimes we wished we had just one more day; one more day to create new memories and hold onto the lovely ones we made. When someone important leaves your life, the feeling of wishing you had that extra day to say all the things you wished you had said but sadly did not can overwhelm your memories. Regret is something that can creep into the memories and tarnish the lovely moments. It is easy sometimes to dwell on the negative, but we must not. It is the lovely memories that encourage us that brighter days will come and brings peace to our hearts. If we could just live by this simple phrase, perhaps precious memories will be protected and even more will be formed in our hearts. So please remember “Don’t wait say it today” and protect those simple, happy memories. By Emily Van Nostrand
