“HI MR, NOWACK!”
It was at Conneaut Lake Park’s annual Pumpkinfest a few years ago, a few of the Artists I sponsored and I, were demonstrating their talents. As I was taking a short break from my Carousel carving, I saw a somewhat familiar person approaching the demonstration area.
I immediately recognized the individual as one of my former students I taught during my days with the school district in Pittsburgh.
This was NOT the first time this youngman had “sought me out.” A few years previously, he had intentionally brought his Family to meet me as I demonstrated at one of the amusement parks near Pittsburgh. To say I was completely honored by his first, and now another, arrival would be a tremendous understatement.
As a student, he was barely 12 years of age while sitting in my classroom; now, he was in his late 20’s...with a wife and daughters.
A he approached my side, I was able to notice in his voice and demeanor somewhat of a sense of sadness. Putting aside my carving materials, I suggested we take a walk, and share some time together. He agreed.
As we sat together, he expressed his feelings…feelings of despair and desperation. He indicated that his Life was in “ruins.” He was on the brink of losing everything: wife, children, home, even his job. He felt useless…and, he believed that all of his current turmoil was caused by his background. He believed he was useless. He had no one to whom he could turn…except……
We talked…and talked…and talked.
1974
I was, unknowingly, in the midst of my final years on the East Coast.
My current endeavor, as a Director of Dramatics, was the staging of a performance of the musical production, MAN OF LA MANCHA…the story of Don Quixote/Miquel de Cervantes.
The cast, orchestra, and stage crew together numbered more than a hundred students, ranging from 15-18 years in age. It was a MORE than thrilling time for everyone who participated in the production.
The audition sessions were crowded; many students wished to be among the cast members.
During the final audition session, I noticed sitting in the audience area a young lady who seemed somewhat hesitant and withdrawn. While taking a break in the audition procedures, I ambled offstage, and out into the audience. As I did so, I called out to the stage crew to “run through” the lighting of the stage lights. (This was my “excuse” for being in the audience section.)
AS I rambled about, I asked the young lady what she thought of the lighting. She replied that it looked good. I then asked her if she was going to audition for a role. She hesitated…and I urged her to follow me. Onstage I proceeded to convince her to audition. How could she refuse?
When the Cast List was announced, several members, AND several Faculty members expressed their surprise that the young lady I urged to audition was awarded a spot on the cast.
Her performance in the production was PERFECT!
In 1975, my career on the East Coast came to an untimely ending. In the final days, I MORE than promised each of my Drama Students that I would NEVER forget them. Each of them would remain in my Heart and my Spirit FOREVER. AND…they have.
Over the past several years, MANY of the individuals I served both on the East Coast and in the Pittsburgh schools have found me through social media. Numerous former students have rekindled their relationship with me. What an INCREDIBLE HONOR!
Most of these “kids” are now in their mid-sixties! Several of them have Journeyed Onward and stepped upon the Path of Eternity.
Yet, ONE of these persons , one of these former students had NEVER contacted me…until…
46 YEARS
This past week I received a “Friend Request” through social media. I sat MORE than amazed. Here was a contact from the young lady I had encouraged all those years ago! Of course, I accepted her request.
Her Life had not been easy. Personal matters became MORE than complicated for her. Health issues had led her down the Pathway to a life-threatening battle with cancer. Friends had left her Life…some of her closest Friends had passed away.
Yet, one thing, one person’s words and belief in her had sustained her throughout the years.
That person’s words of encouragement had, over Time, convinced her of her Worth, her Dignity, and had sustained Hope within her throughout all of her Life’s disasters.
Now that she had survived, she felt that the Time had arrived to rekindle Friendship with that person.
She told him that she had followed him (without his knowing it) for all those years…she had through his daily posted messages found the Hope and Belief in herself that she had previously cast aside.
THIS MORNING
The Sun has risen to brighten a new day!
Take Time today...look LONG and DEEPLY into Yourself.
What do you see? What do you perceive? You are a true GIFT to Existence!
Despite the trials, turmoil, and even the Past from which you have arisen, YOU are MUCH MORE than you can EVER realize.
Let NO ONE diminish your Worth and Dignity!
Let NOTHING erase from your eyes the incredible Person you ARE!
Let HOPE and LOVE encompass your Existence...AND THEN...share that JOY though every Moment.
You ARE the “ROSE” in Life.
Did you hear about the Rose that grew from a crack in the concrete?
Proving Nature’s laws wrong, it learned to walk
without having feet.
Funny, it seems to by keeping its Dreams…it learned to breathe fresh air.
Long live the Rose that grew from concrete…
when no one else even cared.
Make No mistake…I CARE!
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A SINGLE ROSE - flowers can grow in many places!