Beautiful Beginnings
by Judy DeShong, ΑΔ, University of Mississippi
Alpha Delta Chapter Adviser
Beautiful beginnings are those new experiences which promise great futures. I had many beautiful beginnings during my first Phi Mu National Convention this July. At the beginning of my journey to Orlando, I boarded the plane and was delighted to learn I would be traveling with some darling Phi Mus from the University of Memphis. When we landed in Orlando, there were more Phi Mus at the airport. Arriving at the hotel, I was surrounded by sisters and knew this was going to be a special time. We were treated to a fun and festive Welcome Dinner at the official start of Convention. With a tropical theme and a steel drum band, the atmosphere was light and full of excitement. There were special surprises throughout the night including a wonderful performance by the Jacksonville, Fla., alumnae washboard band. That sure brought back memories, as I was in Alpha Delta’s washboard band many years ago.  As I sat in that banquet hall, memories of my Phi Mu days flooded my mind and I felt the tears in my eyes. I was reminded of another beautiful beginning – the start of my Phi Mu experience. You see, I’m an only child and my dad died three weeks into the start of my freshman year at the University of Mississippi. I had just pledged Phi Mu and, with no siblings, those women became my family. I’m experiencing a new beautiful beginning as I step into the role of chapter adviser for Alpha Delta. The lessons learned and ideas shared at Convention have better prepared me to serve in my position and have encouraged me to embrace these new experiences as the blessings they are.
|