Transformation Through Chaos Transformation Through Chaos_Sneak Peak | Page 5

Dr. Cornelia Wenze
This grandmother expressed to me that she was proud to meet
the daughter of Dr. Ira Wenze who had become Dr. Cornelia
Wenze. She stated that it was great that I decided to follow in my
father’s footsteps and continue the work he started as a humanitar-
ian. This grandmother articulated to me that I shared some of the
same mannerisms as my father.
She pointed out that it was amazing that I was in the mental
health field and impacting the lives of others just as my father once
did. She also stated that my father was a gentleman who left behind a
rich legacy in terms of his persistent commitment to helping others.
On a personal level, my father was not much of a communicator
and spent countless hours in his bedroom with the television on
when he was not working. I suppose it is safe to say that my father
was isolative and preferred to be alone when he was present in the
home. My mother was the glue that kept the family together. She
did everything for the well-being of her children.
My father often took the role my mother played in the home
for granted. Let me add that he was often condescending and com-
bative towards my mother. He would arrive home from work some
days and start arguing with my mother. My father was also physi-
cally aggressive. If I attempted to protect my mother, he projected
this behavior onto me.
Now, let me state for the record that my father never hit me.
However, he was not emotionally supportive and I remember him
often telling me I was “stupid” and would not amount to much in
life. Nonetheless, he constantly promoted the importance of getting
an education. My mother also promoted education, independence,
and always encouraged me to be self-sufficient.
Besides the endless support of my mother as well as my desire
to get my doctorate, being told I was stupid was engrained in my
mind at times during the pursuit of my education. I suppose it is
safe to say that the little girl in me who grew up being called stupid
had this blazing desire to prove her father wrong.
My father lived to witness my high school graduation. I am sure
in his own way that was a proud moment for him. In retrospect, I
am thrilled that he did witness his eldest daughter walk across the
stage and receive the first of many degrees.
D viii E