by
William Benedict McCartney
Without Ben's permission, I take the liberty of quoting here from the "Acknowledgements" preceding the body of his dissertation. A genius of both heart and mind, my elder son has written:
"I cannot imagine my life without all the love and encouragement I have received from my family. Kit and Ger have provided everything from copyediting to thoughtful discussions to steadfast emotional support. Grim and Gram have been there for me since my littlest days and always seem so sure that I know what I am talking about that my insecurities fade away. Sam -- with his fierce work ethic and ambition -- is an inspiration, a great source of pride, and a sobering reminder that academics have it so good,
"Finally, Cathleen, you're the best thing that has ever happened to me. Your incredible kindness makes every day spent with you a complete joy. Your confidence in me, unconditional warmth, and seemingly boundless patience have made the last three years so much easier. As a completely unfair trade for everything you have done for me, I dedicate this work -- and all the tables in it -- to you."
Back in the day when Gerry and I completed our dissertations, the "Acknowledgements" page was not offered as an option. My freelance version took the following form (May 1990):
"Writing takes energy -- more energy than you ever think you have. And energy comes from love. It takes a spasm of love to write a poem, and several spasms to write a short story, and hundreds of them to write a novel."
~ Erica Jong, from How to Save Your Own Life
. . . and seventy - ver - million to write a dissertation!"
Ger -
How could I ever have have done it without you?
Thank you for loving me so many spasms high!
XOXO always & very faithfully yours,
Kit
****************
Kit -
I can only do it because of the love you give me.
Ger
Kitti, Ben, Gerry ~ May 12, 2018
10 Years Earlier:
ReplyDeleteWilliam Benedict McCartney's
2008 Valedictorian Speech
Four years of high school have come and gone, and, seeing as for the last time in at least ten years, we are all together, I felt it appropriate to introduce one final piece of legislation.
A Resolution of Thanks:
Whereas, Mr. Ohlhaut, who came to a new school at the same time I did and stayed in my schedule every year, either as teacher or professional consultant; Mr. Spencer, who inspired and facilitated the most obsessive studying I've ever done for two two hour tests; Mr. Smith, whose influence on me as a teacher and coach was enough that I formatted my final words as a piece of congress legislation; Mr. Overley who witnessed my senioritis in a way that only a teacher who had me the first semester of freshman year, the second semester of senior year, and the football season every year in between could, and all the teachers and faculty members of West Lafayette High School were exemplary, and
Whereas Michael Bennet, my organ teacher, who ensured that when I didn't feel like doing homework I could do something else guilt free, maintains to this day a close friend and superb teacher, and
Whereas all my peers pushed, stimulated, motivated, and supported me, and
Whereas my friends have ensured that I have become a better human being, and in so doing become some of the people closest to my heart, you know who you are, and
Whereas my grandma, who made sure I didn't strain my eyes; my grandpa, who ensured I aimed straight and true in school and on the football field; Sam, who's pretty much a pain I'm most of the time proud to call my brother, and my mom and dad, who fed, watered, drove, put up with, listened to, and encouraged me every single impossible step of the way were the best family I could have hoped for
Be it resolved by the graduating class of 2008 here assembled that without the help, guidance, encouragement, and support of many, many people we could not have made it, so successfully, this far.
Be it further resolved that, as amazing has high school was, man, are we ready to get out of here. Thank you all for a four great years.
Some notes after moving into the dorm
ReplyDelete(Aug 17 - 18, 2008)
How's it going? We have your phone charger here in the kitchen.
Okay, I'll come pick it up probably on Wednesday when I come back for my eye doctor appointment. Tell Sam that apparently I did pack both pairs of flip flops. Not sure how that happened, but he'll get them back soon.
Love, Ben
That all sounds fine Ben. Mommy (who is going to Chicago today for the day) says to wear your contacts when you come over tomorrow. Try to put them in by 8am. Take care, Daddy
Mommy & Daddy,
It's going great so far. The room is pretty much moved in to. It's a little bit bare, but we are working on it. The space under the bed is 82 inches so the couch should fit pretty comfortably. So far the highlights have been a comedian who talked about drinking, but in a really cool, not dumb old person way, another orientation type comedian, a hypnotist, a campus tour (this was a little silly, since I apparently know campus better than the tour guide), meeting some people one of whom is from China and plays the card game I play with the Shens, eating in Earhart, no surprises there, and taking a shower in the really nice shower (our bathroom also has a bathtub which is just insane). So I will come over on Wednesday, I'll just walk, some time around 9ish I'm thinking.
Also, I will probably come over on Thursday and sleep at home. On Friday we leave after Zoe gets out of school, around 2:30. I'm not sure of the come back time, but I will sleep at home on Saturday. Sunday I will go to St. John's and then either go straight to Earhart or come home for a bit and then to Earhart. Either way, classes start bright and early Monday, :-O.
So I'll see you on Wednesday and maybe we can get a couch. Love, Ben