This weekend I will be reunited with one of my dearest friends, Corrine. I had the privelige to meet Corrine a few years ago at a conference in Houston. I was overwhelmed, excited, and happy that I’d found “my people” when I was in a workshop session on military affiliated writers. The amazing people in the room had a passion much like me, they were truly interested in the work of student-veterans at their schools. They were passionate about helping these students transition and also share in the writing experience, providing a voice for the narrative, if you will.
I had read Corrine’s work as a graduate student. She might have noticed I “geeked out” a bit with so many wonderful scholars in the room. I probably had this huge smile on my face any of them spoke because to me, these folks were legit. They were the people I’d read and incorporated into some of my own work for around two years. In all honesty, I just wanted to be like these scholars when I grew up.
Conferences come and go, and when you are an adjunct, your school doesn’t really give you travel pay, or cover your hotel bill when you decide to go to these conferences. Although you are participating in professional development, money doesn’t grow on trees, and well, it can be costly even when the conferences occur every year. Picking and choosing wisely is key. I’m so glad I decided to submit a proposal for the conference in Portland last year.
When we were in Portland I had a chance to reconnect with Corrine. We had more time to talk, and I also realized that year, I was a professional. I wasn’t a grad student on research high, I was a professional seeking out expertise, advice, and sessions that would help me out in my very own classroom. I was beginning to create my own research questions, and I wanted to contribute to a very large conversation on student veterans in the college classroom.
Corrine and I had a chance to chat about putting together a proposal for the next conference (2018, Kansas City), and guess what—after gathering some other panelists, we were accepted to present on Conflict, Care, and Connection in the Literary Spaces of Military Veterans, Partners, Caregivers, and Kids.
I’m thankful for the conferences all over the U.S. that allow me to connect and make lasting friendships. I’m also thankful that Corrine took some time out of her busy schedule to join us for the Know More Conference this Saturday at John A. Logan College.
Corrine has contributed to the blog, and this post on invisible wounds is worthy of being shared again. Invisible does not mean in violation…