Connected by Technology, College and a Common Faith

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.”

Imagine the fun of seeing familiar and beloved faces pop up on the computer screen one by one on a designated afternoon, brought together from across the country by the wonder of technology. Seven of us, all UCLA alumni, managed to connect online through “Zoom” that day in spite of different time zones and a few difficulties getting into the meeting.  

We waved as each person’s face appeared on the screen, giving advice when needed:  

“Hey, unmute your microphone.”

“Start your video!”

Oh my! We should get a lot of credit though since most of us hadn’t even realized that there was such a thing as zoom and had never video conferenced up until two years ago when the COVID pandemic hit. It has been wonderful to get together without having to wait until we are all in the same place at the same time—very difficult for a group of friends who are spread out around the country.

We took a trip back in time when the member of our group who had been on the women’s basketball team showed us her t-shirt.  Coach Johnny Wooden’s entire “Pyramid of Success” was displayed on the front of her shirt.  

 I hadn’t thought about Coach Wooden for a very long time. He was the shining star of the men’s basketball program from 1948 through 1977. When we were at UCLA in the late 60’s and early 70’s, the team was having a winning streak of national championships. Coach Wooden left a legacy of “competitive greatness” which has continued to inspire people in all walks of life.

The conversation then went on to personal matters, with the seven of us taking turns to share: a daughter who just had surgery to remove a cyst from her brain. We had been praying for her and the family and were delighted to hear that she was making good progress.

Because it had been several months since our last online visit and also because one of our UCLA sisters was joining for the first time, there was a lot of catching up to do. A wedding, new grandbabies, involvement in the community and church, physical issues and our daughter Shanda’s beginning a clinical trial, the first of its kind to treat her Leptomeningeal disease, were all discussed.

 So how did we meet? Through living in the dorms and sororities while attending school there, through mutual friends and Christian groups on campus. Five of us shared a two-bedroom apartment for the year after graduation, except for a couple of the younger roommates who were still finishing up their undergrad work.

 After college, various combinations of the group roomed together as we began our careers, living in the Huntington and Newport beach areas and commuting to work in different directions. Gradually we spread out to various parts of the country.   

Towards the end of our time together, a UCLA sister talked about the recent loss of her husband. A man of faith, his passing had happened quickly and unexpectedly.

“How can you love a person so much?” she shared with a broken heart. “It was just too soon.”

 We listened with tears, wishing we were closer to reach out and hug her.

“The hospice nurse told me that his was a beautiful death. He died at peace.”

Our hearts were broken too. We’ve been through so much “life” together, even taking small containers of ashes of another beloved member of our UCLA group out to sea one summer day, as she had requested, and watching them float on the waves amidst rose petals.

At the apex of Coach Wooden’s pyramid of success are the words “Faith (through prayer)” and “Patience (good things take time).” His advice is applicable to athletes, teams, in the workplace and even in relationships, as we ladies have found out through our friendships that have lasted over half a century and are still holding strong. Our common faith in God and love for Jesus have bonded us together…with our love for each other growing ever stronger.

According to the coach, “Success is a peace of mind attained only through self-satisfaction in knowing you made the effort to do the best of which you’re capable.”

 Another wise man, Solomon, put it a different way. By committing all that we do to the Lord, our plans will succeed.  God is good! He deserves all of the glory!

*Proverbs 16:3 NIV

Pictured above, the UCLA group minus one at our wedding and below, five of us including the one friend who was unable to make the wedding!