The circle of gratitude.

So just in case any of you couldn't tell, I kind of like writing. I like writing blog posts. I like writing papers. (Yes...actually, I do.) I like writing letters, reports, journals, book reviews, love letters, post-it notes, and thank-you cards.

This semester I wrote thank-you notes to all of my teachers. Why? Because at the beginning of the semester I felt like a freshman again. I had to rebuild all the trust and report I've spent 3 years building with my professors at TTU. At first it was frustrating. I felt marginalized and unimportant. When I couldn't print my midterm paper for one of my classes (see my last post...) I was extremely stressed. This professor doesn't know me - he doesn't know that I really did have it done and that I tried for an hour to print it! But then I got my grade, and he hadn't taken any points off for turning it in 3 hours late. Turns out he did trust me.

And from there I began to see things in a different light.

These professors are all individuals who for one reason or another have taken an interest in other cultures, or at least international students. Every semester they see students come and go. Every semester they teach the same thing, over and over and over. Because they care about their culture and have the strength and courage to form new relationships with curious students from all over the world. Relationships that will most likely end in short order.

I know how hard this is.

So I wrote notes in which I attempted to express my appreciation for their investment. Two of my professors hugged me and almost cried. The other two looked shocked and responded with something like, "For me?! Whoa....! Thank you!"

Thank me? For what? For noticing your sacrifice and taking the time to thank you for it? Believe me, it's doing at least for me as it will do for you. Thank YOU!