I am about to turn 72 years old. Every time I think of that number, I am somewhat stunned. I remember when my mother was 72! How did time pass so quickly? Well, it passed just as it does for all of us, whether we are 72 or 22...one day at a time. I think the key to this feeling of time passing quickly is because of the way I have tried to live each day. Some may say, "Oh, sure, you survived cancer so you really appreciate and understand the value of each day." But, in reality, I have felt this way all of my life, I believe. Surely as a young kid, I didn't think about it intentionally as I do now. But, I still lived that way because of the modeled behavior in my life, especially by my mother. Now my dad was certainly a giant in my life. He was always kind, strong, loving (the best hugs in the world), and a great provider of the family. But, he was a home body, perfectly content to work hard all day, then return to his recliner. Mother, on the other hand, never let adventure escape her. She was one always looking forward to a new experience, a new friend, a new opportunity to help someone, and an opportunity to travel. Unfortunately, because my dad did not share her sense of adventure this did not happen for her which makes me sad. I tried to take her as many places as I could before she died and was fortunate to be there when she saw an ocean for the first time. I shall never forget how she sat on that big rock in Maine and stared out at the Atlantic Ocean saying, "I just can't get my eyes full enough." I can only hope that she has traveled with me in spirit during the past years and will continue to travel with me in the years ahead.
I just recently returned from one of my trips. I traveled to Holland and Belgium and had a wonderful time. It seems almost surreal that I even went because now I am back home with no real plans for the summer. Sometimes I teach a UNT summer course but chose not to do so this summer...I felt I needed a mental break in all fairness to the summer students I would have had. There are some mornings already that I have waken up thinking, "I have nothing to do today." For some this sounds like heaven because they like to sit on the couch, watch tv, and even stay in their pajamas all day. And this is okay for them if that is their choice. But, for me, this simply doesn't work. When I think that I am alive another beautiful day, a day other's wish they had had, I simply have to find a defined purpose for being able to live it. Sure, I have my do nothing days like everyone else, but they don't last long.
I have learned that I don't have to accomplish things that might get my name on the side of a building. Sometimes my accomplishment is making a call, visiting a friend, getting the laundry done, etc. For me, though, I am constantly looking for something I can do that greatly makes someone else's day a little easier, brighter, and hopeful. I find that when I do that, my 24 hour day has been spent with purpose.
I do not apologize for the way I feel. I know people who accomplish great things every day because they are committed and positive. Some of my friends volunteer, go to Bible study, take care of their grandchildren or aging parents. Some of my friends are teachers and I strongly believe that there is no better profession in this world. Look at me....still at it after over 40 years. I keep waiting for the flame to go out. It simply hasn't yet. I have found that college students really are our future. However, even though some of them are 20 plus, they still do not have life all figured out. They need the same nurturing as they did when they were children. Nothing has brought me more joy, (except my own children) than to see my students in their own classrooms doing it the right way. In my classes at UNT, I concentrate on how they are to treat children through the power of their words, more so sometimes than I concentrate on how they teach content.
I have spent the last few years asking my students, "Where are your feet?" This is such a strong question because if answered correctly, one will find that our feet are in the present and can be nowhere else. However, those feet are also supposed to move forward and be in new "moments". That is what I intend for my feet to do. My prayer is that my feet are never complacent to be where they are for too long of a time. Of course, logic tells me that eventually a time will come when I cannot take my feet all the places that I want to go. This is why I want to experience every new, positive moment that I can until then. My heart and my mind will still be aligned with my feet, and I will still be striving to bring meaning to this life that God has given to me.
R.
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