This is the third in a series of reflections on significant people in my life during my formative years. I think I may still working through those formative years! The first two are about my dad and my mom.
I've known Irving for over 40 years now. He's married to my mom, but I've always described him first as a friend. One who happens to be married to my mom. He's had a huge impact on my life. His birthday was earlier this month, on the 13th.
You Are Not Invisible
Back of the classroom
Couldn't see the blackboard
They thought you were
Defective
Lesser
Stupid
An idiot
Needy
Sometimes
It appears
That some
You believe
Don’t notice you
An invisible man
Not important
Not worthy of simple attention
This perception is wrong
And those who might have this perception
Are missing a deep beauty and richness of mind and spirit
You are…
Brilliant
Misunderstood (only sometimes!)
Appreciative
Empathic
Exasperating
Incredibly funny
Inspirational
Loving
Intelligent
Thoughtful
Kind
Complex
Nuanced
A listener
An artist
A visionary
An advocate
A parent
A husband
A teacher
A friend
Human
You just needed a sighting scope to open the universe…
Spectacles
And you are visible
A light
Inspiring and illuminating
Lighting paths for far-ranging souls
Some of them you know
Some you learn of your impact ages later
Some you’ll never know
A word
A gesture
Small acts of kindness
Of recognition
Of listening
You pay attention
You hear stories
You scaffold the telling of stories
Stories that need to be told and heard
That is a legacy
A tremendous legacy
As a teacher
How many seeds have you nurtured?
What amazing things did they become?
And how many new generations of seeds are they producing?
And what will those new seeds grow to be?
And it goes on. And on. And on.
Deep impacts
Profoundly positive changes, growth, and evolution
You are not invisible.
You are seen.
You are heard.
We see and hear you.
We will hold all of this close to our hearts to our dying days
Thank you, thank you, thank you
Wow!
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