It's amazing how things always come full circle in life. Last summer I began Interior Design classes at Randolph Community College after being a wife and stay at home mother since 1986. I had my own craft business in those early years, but had to give it up when we moved for my husband's job, then I became pregnant with my daughter. I had other home based businesses, but then my son came along, and more moves. I was very happy, and fulfilled as a wife, and mother, but life brings surprises. You know the saying, "We make plans, and God laughs." My children are now out of the home, and I am divorced.
I never expected to be able to work again due to a chronic illness, but found it necessary to find a way. After much prayer, and soul searching, I realized I now had the opportunity to pursue something I had only dreamed of for the past thirty years.
After researching programs I landed at RCC. The funny thing is, that I had connections from back in the mid 1970's. The Interior Design program at RCC celebrated it's 45th anniversary last fall. It was the first in the state, and set the standard for all other ID programs at institutes of higher learning in North Carolina. One of the founders of the program was Dwight Holland. Mr. Holland was also design curator for the N.C. Zoo when it was first built. He was involved in the painting of the "Randolph Memories" mural in downtown Asheboro in 1976. Now, for the connection I had to all this. I moved to Randleman, N.C. in the middle of my sophomore year of high school. The art program in Randleman was a new one, taught by Louise Culler. I had been in a more advanced program at my school in Tennessee, and in classes at the local college there. In order to accommodate me Mrs. Culler placed me in the art class, but created an individual curriculum for me. Mrs. Culler was just out of college, therefore our ages were not too far apart, and she became like a big sister. She involved me in some of the things she did outside of school. We were weaving in class, so Mrs. Culler thought spinning our own yarn would be a good idea. One Saturday she took me to Dwight Holland's house across from the zoo site to sheer his sheep that was in desperate need of it. Now, you may have seen this process on t.v.- taking seconds. It took us all day. I am sure that sheep was never the same, I know we weren't. We left with our fleece, we were covered in filth, and lanolin. Never to shear again.
Another connection I had to Mr. Holland was that Mrs. Culler had a couple of us help on the mural work.
Mrs. Culler's husband taught photography at RCC at the time, it was then known as Randolph Technical Institute.She was a special lady, I would love to reconnect with her.
What I saw in this teacher that made such a difference in my young life, I also see in the instructors I have had at RCC at mid-life. I see true caring, and concern and time taken with students that they see are giving their best. The atmosphere here is one of warmth and comfort, while remaining professional.
My fellow students are like family. We are a close knit group without being "clicky."
I always have faith that while sometimes it may not feel like it in the moment, things always work out as they should, as long as one is doing the right thing. I know it has with my being here at RCC, and I am grateful.
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