What is a sorority?
A sorority is not entirely a flower, national conventions, monogrammed rings,
worn out songs, by-laws, membership standards, or a golden pin. And, it is not
entirely an institution, a creed, a legacy, an obligation, or a way of life.
If you are going to insist that it is something, a sorority is only moving in
for the first time and slowly learning that all the beautiful people have fat
legs and use mouthwash and wear last year's coats.
A sorority is sitting next to an alumna you don't like, and being nice because
it means something to her.
A sorority is long, tired eternities of black coffee and exam snacks when you
still can't remember the Renaissance architects or the mossy taproot systems.
A sorority is feeling proud of the achievements of your sisters.
A sorority is sitting on the back steps and listening with all your helplessness
because she's lonely and it seems the whole world just fell into ugly little
pieces.
A sorority is studying for that big exam, while a special friend types your
ten-page research paper.
And it's coming in very late one night and closing the door to tell someone
who's seen you through the hardest years of your life that you're happy now and
you're getting married.
You learn that the world is made up of people you're not going to like and you
live with them anyway.
You learn that there is still a lot to believe in and a whole lot more to hope
for.
You learn that love has never been easy and it's a long time coming.
You learn that a friend means taking popcorn breaks to help each other through
long all-nighters.
And in the end, a sorority girl can only be a better way to stumble down the
stairs and out the front door!
-- unknown