Can you share a positive example of where you’ve felt loved?
When I first looked at today’s prompt, I ran through a series of people who might have expressed love in such a way that I felt enveloped by the emotion. I turned up empty, but before I began rewinding my memory tape, I remembered a recent event when I felt surrounded by love.
A former student and a staff colleague at my last campus arranged a surprise retirement party for me. They invited people from all 17 years of my time there, and many came, along with some faculty colleagues and my friend Mike from California. There were some testimonial speeches, and then I was asked to speak.
I choked up* as I spoke, and made a statement that I still stand by. I had realized it only moments earlier: that my students were my true legacy. My guidance and teaching had strongly impacted on their lives, and they loved me for it. This party, even though the campus-made cake had my name spelled wrong (I mean, really? that’s another reason to retire from there) was a truly wonderful gift.
* I wonder why everyone says, when they get teary, “I’m sorry”? I see it on TV interviews, and I did it then too. Maybe it’s because they can’t continue speaking and feel their wasting others’ time? I’m not sure, but we shouldn’t be sorry about legitimately expressing a heartfelt emotion.
MUSOFYR 