In the midst of a whole lot of ongoing pain and suffering, both around me locally and internationally, as I've talked about the last two weeks, I received an email this week that was not only a bright spot in my week but in my career.
It was from a former student, and not just any student -- she was among the top five foreign language students I have ever taught, which, by now, is saying something.
She was simply writing to thank me for the impact my teaching had had on her education as well as on her chosen profession. Exactly what she said, however, is not the point of this post. It's the fact that, years after she had moved on to university and adulthood, she was taking the time to sit down and write me a thoughtfully expressed thank you.
My mind immediately went to the New Testament story where one of ten lepers comes back to thank Jesus for healing him. By that, do not hear me saying I wish more students would come back and thank me. This is not about me. It did make me ask myself whether there are any mentors in my life -- whether in my years as a student or in my professional or personal life -- who might have no idea of the impact they have had in forming who I am today.
I was first hit with this epiphany a few years ago when reminded of a university professor from my senior year. And yes, because I waited so long to go back and thank him, he was nowhere to be found, presumably deceased.
So this simple encouragement: what mentors have you had along the way whom you could go back and thank?
This isn't intended to be a burden imposed on my readers, as if life weren't already demanding enough right now. All I know is that the email I received this week picked me up and gave me the strength and confidence to move forward in the work that is in front of me.
I guarantee it will make that person's day -- at the very least.