In honor of U of M Recruitment Week, I would like to get something off my chest... FB Rant style... In September of 2006, I was honored to join the Phi Mu Fraternity Sisterhood. I ran full speed in my hot pink tennis shoes over the hill of the UC lawn to smiling faces and open arms of the women that had gone from friends to sisters in 1 week... I am fairly certain that I didnt take off my letters for the next few weeks and my cheeks were sore from smiling. I remember that day vividly... we went back to the house for photos, got backpacks with Phi Mu gear to the MAX and changed into cute pink t-shirts before being swept away to PumpItUp for a fun day of pizza & bouncy slides... SO.MUCH.FUN. My time in Phi Mu was up and down as you may expect with any organization. To say I was a busy freshman would be an understatement... Emerging Leaders (with 10+ hours of community service), Tigerettes, Phi Mu, 21 class hours, SAC, and I still managed to make Deans List. This wasnt uncommon in the Greek world because, lets face it, Greeks tend to be overachievers. The rest of my college years werent much different... I maintained grades and EL standards while twirling 4 days per week & often traveling with the team on weekends. I was even honored to chair homecoming, all sing, and follies.. I had no idea how crazy it was until I graduated and looked back... I made many Phi Mu sisters and a few Phi Mu SISTERS. People are often confused when I say that, but if you are/ were Greek, you understand exactly what Im saying. Many girls are your sisters, but very FEW become your very best friends, SISTERS... Here is why I say this... and here is why it is ok... My senior year of Phi Mu didnt go as I had hoped and planned. I had living situations that cost me tons of unexpected money and emergency back surgery. The kind of emergency back surgery that knocked me out for several months and ended my 18 year twirling career without so much as a bouquet of farewell flowers. As I laid in the hospital bed dazed in and out of pain med induced sleep, I remember my mom & dad being there, but it was my Phi Mu SISTER that touches my heart the most. Julie Gurchiek held my apple juice cup for who knows how long... she held my hand... she wiped my tears... she helped me to the bathroom... she proved to be my SISTER. No one else. Of the 25+ girls that ran over that hill with me, 100+ sisters in my chapter... 1 SISTER showed up when I was down. In the weeks that followed, I missed many sorority events and a few SISTERS called to check on me... Jessie Wilks brought me soup and came over to keep my company, but other than Julie & Jessie, that was it... Needless to say, my feelings were hurt. My life was changing. The single activity that I had clung to since kindergarten was gone... I couldnt afford dues and I couldnt work. I was lost. I talked to the people I thought could help, but after hours of tears, headaches, and frustration... I dropped. I didnt know what else to do. I couldnt pay. I couldnt work. I couldnt go 3-D. I was devastated but felt that my back was against the wall. Since then, Ive heard lots of rumors from sisters that proved to be much less than such, but not one has asked me personally what happened... How my Greek Life ended so suddenly... It wasnt until the last year that I realized what Phi Mu really gave to me... Phi Mu gave me all that it promised... that girl sitting crossed legged giving me sisterly advice... Despite dropping, I refused NOT to pin my little for her wedding, she stood by me as MOH for my wedding, and I still talk to her about EVERYTHING... She has embodied the meaning of Phi Mu... She is Love, Honor, and Truth... What more could I ask for? If someone asked me today, Do you recommend going Greek?, my answer would be a resounding YES! All things that are good in life take work, they sometimes let you down, and often wont be appreciated until they are in the rearview mirror. Be sure that my years in Pink & White were the BEST years of my life. I would do it all over again if I could, differently maybe, but I again, yes. With all that being said, I wish the BEST recruitment week to the University of Memphis. Nothing will prepare you for the journey youre about to embark upon, but dont worry your pretty little head... No one is ever prepared. Just enjoy it... Because youll be sad when its over.
Posted on: Mon, 08 Sep 2014 16:34:49 +0000
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