After a long day of studying for my doctorate, and preparing to speak 6 times in the coming days, and all the fullness that is on my plate right now, I received a handwritten letter that encouraged me to keep doing what I believe I am called to do. The letter said:
"Dear Manny,
You are one amazing human being- an inspiration to all you touch and who touch you. Your presence at Richmond Grade School, Spring Grove Elementary, Nippersink Middle School, and Richmond-Burton High School will remain. You are alive in our souls. Our teacher souls..."
Then the letter closes with a story:
"A teacher approached her principal after the principal placed a new student in her classroom. The principal had selected this teacher because of her ability to connect...Two days of school had gone by when the teacher made the following observation. She said to the principal, 'This will be my Manny.' Manny, you have become a frame of mind in Richmond. A philosophy by which to live for our staffs."
WOW! I must admit that at times the wear and tear of traveling, speaking, studying, parenting- of life- takes its toll on me emotionally, physically, and or course, spiritually. I wonder how much longer I'll be able to keep up this pace...and then I'll get a letter like this to re-ignite my fire, to remind me that my work is not in vain, that I'm, in my own small way, making a difference. It inspires me to keep going.
Today, after I write two papers, I will hop on a plane to Oklahoma City, where I'll have another opportunity to change the frame of mind, and the philosophy by which people live.
Thank you for reading, and for your continued love and support!
