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em madsen's picture

It Works Better if you Hold it Upright

Paul spoke those words to me on a blustery and rainy March afternoon; I was struggling on my way back to my dorm, and holding my umbrella sideways just to block the wind. I think he knew I was frustrated, and his words made the rest of the trip less difficult and more amusing, as I thought about the way we use tools as opposed to the way they are meant to be used.
After taking class with Paul, I always used to take a roundabout way home to Brecon through Park Science, right past his door, in hopes of passing by and falling into conversation. You always knew you were going to think and rethink as he settled back into his chair and placed his shoes on the desk.
Hearing of his death, one of the things I remember most was a way he had of saying hello or goodbye, which involved him holding up his palm so that you could match your palm up with it. I like thinking about all the imprints of his energy he left, both at Bryn Mawr, and now throughout the world, through this technique.

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