Friday morning I opened the front door and stepped out to get the
mail.  All the snail mail span was cooked to a crisp in this heat.  It's
so hot down here in South Georgia Susan had to turn on the oven to cool
the house down.

        Anyway, among the useless pieces of mail was an innocuous
envelope.  The address was hand-written.  I casually and unexpectantly
opened it up.  As I read the first couple of lines, my heart suddenly
started pounding through my chest.  I folded it up.  I went out to the
fishpond, sat on the swing, and listened to the soothing sound of the
waterfalls.  After a few minutes, I slowly unfolded the letter and
finished reading it. To say that I was profoundly touched might appraoch
describing the feeling that enveloped me as I carefully read each word.

        I would love to let you to read the letter.  It says so much about
the deep impact each of us can have, but I cannot.  Only my Susan's loving
eyes have seen it.  So, I'm going to have to be a tad cryptical and
"merely" say this:

        I don't care if you're an adviser, a classroom teacher, a
secretary, an administrator, or a staff person.  Be mindful!  Be
attentive.  Be alert. Be careful.  You never know.  You never know what
you think won't matter just might. You never know what you do in passing
will forever remain to stir someone's soul. You never know when you might
innoculate someone with a dream.  You never know when you might arouse
someone's faith.  You never know when a small word will open the doorway
to a new path . You never know when a slight gesture will open the window
and let in some fresh air.  You never know when a small touch will raise
the shade and let some light enter. You never know what a little bit of
sincere love will open someone's heart let some grace reach in.  I'll say
it again.  Be aware.  Be sensitive.  You never know what you think you say
or do does not matter just might.

        For me, this student's letter says that each and every student
comes bearing a short but resounding joyous message of hope. And this is
the message:  Don't be discouraged.  Don't give up.  You can surely alter
the future!

        And, when you heed that message and carry that belief with you, it
becomes a part of all you see, listen to, think, feel, and do.  And, when
you carry the faith that your teaching or advising or administering or
whatever you do is filled with possibilty, opportunity, meaning, and
purpose, then you will know how vital, precious, enriching, and abundantly
wonderful it is to be an educator.

Make it a good day.

                                                       --Louis--


Louis Schmier                            www.therandomthoughts.com
Department of History                    www.halcyon.com/arborhts/louis.html
Valdosta State University
Valdosta, Georgia 31698                    /~\    /\ /\
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