I have terrible handwriting. I now say it's a learning disability... but a nun who was a very troubled woman hit me over the fingers with a ruler because my writing was so bad.

In this quote, Andrew Greeley reflects on his struggle with handwriting and humorously frames it as a learning disability. He suggests that his poor handwriting was not simply a matter of personal inability but something that was shaped by past experiences. Specifically, Greeley recounts a traumatic event in his childhood when a nun—who he describes as a "very troubled woman"—punished him by hitting his fingers with a ruler due to his poor writing. This experience left a lasting impression on him and, in a way, contributed to his ongoing challenges with handwriting.

Greeley’s statement also sheds light on the sometimes harsh and punitive educational practices of the past, where children were often disciplined physically for mistakes or perceived shortcomings. The nun’s actions, reflecting a period of stricter educational methods, were meant to correct behavior but, according to Greeley, may have only worsened his relationship with handwriting. This moment reveals the emotional and psychological impacts of such punishment, suggesting that rather than improving his skills, it created a barrier for him.

The origin of this quote likely comes from Greeley’s personal reflections on his upbringing and education, particularly his experiences in Catholic schools where strict discipline was common. As a priest and author, Greeley often intertwined his own personal experiences with broader societal critiques, using humor and reflection to address serious topics like education and religion.

Ultimately, this quote reflects the complicated relationship between childhood experiences and personal development. Greeley’s humorous take on his handwriting issues offers a deeper commentary on how early trauma or negative experiences can shape a person’s skills, habits, and self-perceptions, even influencing something as simple as the way they write.