It was James Joyce who, in Stephen Hero and The Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, coined the term epiphanies to refer to moments of clarity and sudden recognition of another perspective. There were several points in my life in which I had a shock of recognition and that I looked back on as pivotal points in my development as a person. In this post, I recognize five such epiphanies that occurred in my life:
Dartmouth College 1962
It was a bad year. It looked as if my parents were headed for divorce, and rare was the day when there were no mutual recriminations. I was delighted that I was accepted at Dartmouth. When, during the summer, my future roommate’s parents drove me up to the campus, I fell in love with the place, deciding that here was a place I could heal.
Cleveland 1966
I was released from Fairview General Hospital after brain surgery to remove a pituitary tumor. As I was sitting as a passenger in our family automobile, I saw the people in the street almost as angelic beings. It was only after the operation that I was told how serious the operation was; and that my life was despaired of. I thought momentarily of Miranda’s lines in Shakespeare’s The Tempest:
Have really enjoyed reading your daily posts. I found this blog by chance. I live in the foothills of the Cascades in Oregon, have traveled and also noticed how it changed my perspective a great deal. Very interesting noting pivotal moments in one’s life. Yes, there is not doubt certain times ( although many steps led up to that moment) have had profound affect on my life.
Lately I ask myself each day what miracles I’ve experienced that day. Sometimes they are quite subtle, but nonetheless quite profound – like a change in perspective, the lifting of a resentment, a restoration of compassion for someone…. and an easing of struggle in a situation.
Just wanted to say really like your writings and observations. You are also very well read and I enjoy hearing about books you recommend.
Thanks, Christine.