As I look back on my life, I realize that my personal map was drawn at Bennington. Bennington gave me a sense of self for the first time in my life. I had struggled in more conventional schools growing up and the freedom and accountability at Bennington allowed me to discover my individual passion. As I think of every major experience throughout my life, Bennington stands out as the most well lit, well loved, and inspirational. [Through] the energy that this place generates—the people it attracts—I was pulled into the bosom of a community.
I wrote my will for the first time before going into surgery many years ago. I wanted to ensure that things would be taken care of in the event that anything might have happened. Bennington made me who I am today, so it was pretty clear to me that it only made sense to give it all back if anything happened. Bennington is a big part of my past and I'd like to be part of its future.
I'm an independent contractor for Organic Valley right now, and it's the perfect fit. I'm able to make my own hours and work wherever I like; the flexibility is really important to me. I've been able to live my life not by rebelling against convention, or succumbing to it, but by listening to my inner desires and charting my own course. Bennington gave me the courage to chart my own journey.
A student of literature at Bennington, Kim Kafka '80 is the author of two novels, Miranda's Vines and True North. She has taught writing at the University of Michigan and conducted writing workshops at the University of Southern Maine and the Bennington Writing Seminars.
