"What Are You Waiting For?"

My husband was a teacher many years ago...  And he was a good one.  Deciding to leave the profession was probably one of the hardest decisions he ever had to make.  Continuing to coach football for 30 some years made it less painful but I know he missed teaching...and probably misses it, still.

In our house, we have tremendous respect for teachers.  We raised two of them.  And even though education has changed immensely through the years, the bottom line is still - that those who are with our kids, day in and day out, in the classroom - have a huge impact on their lives.

This was driven home recently when hubby and I were at a community function and what was a fun afternoon provided us with a very profound moment.   We had the good fortune of running into a student and football player from hubby's past.  (That's one of the nicest things about living in a community like ours.  You run into folks you know, all the time...especially if you were involved in their lives or their kids' lives over a 35 year span.). This particular guy approached us, shook hubby's hand and said in front of those we were with, "You know, Coach, you're one of four people who have made me the man I am.  When others didn't think I'd amount to much, back in high school, and were writing me off, you challenged me to be more."  I don't think I ever said "Thanks".  So thanks."  And then he was gone.  Wow!  Who knew?

So I guess the message is this.  If you're a teacher and you think for one minute that you aren't making a difference, you're wrong!  You are!  It may not be realized immediately but somewhere down the road, you may find out, as my husband did, that you made a real difference to someone.  And the second layer to this message is, if you feel a certain way about someone who has touched your life, in the classroom, in the workplace or just in your everyday life, tell them!   What are you waiting for?  Feelings and words are powerful.  They can make someone's day or change someone's life.  You never know.

For one sunny day in July,  I know that someone sure made an old teacher/coach feel good about his efforts those many years ago.  Thank you for that.