After many years living on the East Coast, Dr. Valerie Golden ʼ72 returned to Minneapolis to establish a private practice in clinical psychology and psychoanalysis. She is most proud of a recent award from the IRS for the beauty and lyrical prose of her tax returns.
Q: What is the best gift you have been given?
A: Without a doubt, it would be my intuition about quality people and the amazing friendships I’ve enjoyed as a result. This does not mean that I’m always right about everyone, but my instincts about people and situations have served me well. I am very loyal to the people I love, and I love them easily. I also always enjoy learning new things and feel grateful for the exceptional education I was given, many thanks to Northrop and Blake!
Q: Do you collect anything?
A: Modern art. And quotes.
Q: If you could visit any place in the world, where would you choose to go and why?
A: I love to travel to exotic and faraway places, and I’ve been fortunate to do some of that. My current bucket list includes Antarctica, a tented African safari (complete with a stay at Giraffe Manor) and the Four Seasons Resort in Bora Bora with its overwater houses.
Q: What’s the best concert you’ve ever been to?
A: The Beatles on the Ed Sullivan show.
Q: What do you miss most about being a kid?
A: Sooooo many things. The pure joy kids find in almost everything, the ability to completely lose yourself in play, the lack of responsibility, and the freedom to try things without the need to be good at them: because you’re a kid! I’m not sure I often felt that carefree as a kid, but I think it’s part of being a kid, and I miss that. I also miss how magical and endless summers seemed back then.
Q: If you could have the answer to any question, what would it be?
A: What’s coming next?
Q: What is one goal you’d like to accomplish during your lifetime?
A: I used to avoid conflict at all costs, but I don’t do that anymore. I still prefer harmony in my relationships, but I’ve learned (and hopefully I’m still learning) ways to address things directly and promptly, in ways that make my relationships even better. Beyond that…goals I’d like to accomplish would be world peace, of course, and whiter teeth.
Q: If you could have an endless supply of any food, what would you get?
A: Iceberg lettuce. Just kidding! Chocolate, of course.
Q: What is the most surprising thing about you?
A: I know by heart all the lyrics to the theme song from “Mister Ed.” I started collecting modern art at age 14. If a news story about animal cruelty comes on, I have to change channels immediately. And I am Kent.
Q: What are your three favorite smells?
A: Fresh lemon, crisp mountain air, clean sheets and chocolate chip cookies. Is that three?
Q: What is the first thing you think of when you wake up in the morning?
A: Will today be the day I find my inner Marie Kondo? Or not. The puppies need food.
Q: If someone rented a billboard for you, what would you put on it?
A: Be generous.
Be kind.
Use your head.
Keep track of yourself.