Post by david on Jun 9, 2009 23:44:06 GMT -8
To those people in the huts and villages across the globe struggling to break the bonds of mass misery, we pledge our best efforts to help them help themselves, for whatever period is required.
Dear Fellow Students:
I'm sure all of you have noticed a change in me over the past several months. Some of you have mentioned it to me. As a matter of fact, some friends and family have been quite effusive, praising me and expressing happiness about my transformation.
I've recently begun to realize how profound that change may be. A dark period in my life seems to be ending; I am emerging into the light and feel as if I have a new lease on life.
The people in this room know me better than just a handful of others in the world. I have shared more about myself with you than I have with any of my other friends and most of my own family.
You have listened to my life stories and I have felt your affection and support. Perhaps this group of good, caring people hasn't directly caused my metamorphosis; but I think
it's unlikely that I would be in this new, happy state without you.
One of my greatest boosters is our classmate Marquita. She makes me feel good.
I once wondered how a child growing up in a very large family could find himself, how could he get enough attention and nurturing while sharing his mother and father with so many others.
But I don't wonder any more. In three minutes, Marquita can provide enough positive energy to last a week. Her example – and I have to give Paul half credit – and should also include Audrey – has proved to me that I'm far from being too old to grab for as much joy as I can handle. I haven't discovered new romance, but I'll confess to you now that I'm finally feeling open to that possibility.
And others in this room have proven to me that it's possible to overcome great loss and adversity and continue being active and productive. I've watched several of you deal with setbacks that could have relegated lesser beings to life on the couch; but you've hurried back to our little community and carried on.
As you've heard in my stories – now numbering well over 100 – I have moved around a lot in my life; not much has remained constant.
This class has become an exception to that rule. I've left and returned twice to rejoin the fold – including after my year-long road trip.
Now you may be anticipating that all of this is a lead-up to my announcing that I'm leaving the class. No. Far from it. This class will remain a priority as long as I'm in Merced.
But I have decided to devote the next year to volunteering and that may mean I'll miss a class or two.
And it might also mean that I'll be writing and sharing more about my present than my past – and not following the prompts (like today).
I know this change will be OK with all of you – how else would friends react?
I just wanted to bring you up to date. And, speaking of which, I'm off to Fresno on Friday to interview for an AmeriCorps assignment here in Merced County. I hope, before the end of the month, to be able to share with you good news about that opportunity.
Whether I am selected by AmeriCorps or not, I'm going to devote myself full-time to volunteer efforts here in the county.
And you'll be getting regular reports about my ups and downs. I'm counting on you to help me make the most of it.
Thank you, my friends, for helping me get my feet back under me and now, hopefully, putting my best foot forward.
Your classmate,
David
– John F. Kennedy (Inaugural)
Dear Fellow Students:
I'm sure all of you have noticed a change in me over the past several months. Some of you have mentioned it to me. As a matter of fact, some friends and family have been quite effusive, praising me and expressing happiness about my transformation.
I've recently begun to realize how profound that change may be. A dark period in my life seems to be ending; I am emerging into the light and feel as if I have a new lease on life.
The people in this room know me better than just a handful of others in the world. I have shared more about myself with you than I have with any of my other friends and most of my own family.
You have listened to my life stories and I have felt your affection and support. Perhaps this group of good, caring people hasn't directly caused my metamorphosis; but I think
it's unlikely that I would be in this new, happy state without you.
One of my greatest boosters is our classmate Marquita. She makes me feel good.
I once wondered how a child growing up in a very large family could find himself, how could he get enough attention and nurturing while sharing his mother and father with so many others.
But I don't wonder any more. In three minutes, Marquita can provide enough positive energy to last a week. Her example – and I have to give Paul half credit – and should also include Audrey – has proved to me that I'm far from being too old to grab for as much joy as I can handle. I haven't discovered new romance, but I'll confess to you now that I'm finally feeling open to that possibility.
And others in this room have proven to me that it's possible to overcome great loss and adversity and continue being active and productive. I've watched several of you deal with setbacks that could have relegated lesser beings to life on the couch; but you've hurried back to our little community and carried on.
As you've heard in my stories – now numbering well over 100 – I have moved around a lot in my life; not much has remained constant.
This class has become an exception to that rule. I've left and returned twice to rejoin the fold – including after my year-long road trip.
Now you may be anticipating that all of this is a lead-up to my announcing that I'm leaving the class. No. Far from it. This class will remain a priority as long as I'm in Merced.
But I have decided to devote the next year to volunteering and that may mean I'll miss a class or two.
And it might also mean that I'll be writing and sharing more about my present than my past – and not following the prompts (like today).
I know this change will be OK with all of you – how else would friends react?
I just wanted to bring you up to date. And, speaking of which, I'm off to Fresno on Friday to interview for an AmeriCorps assignment here in Merced County. I hope, before the end of the month, to be able to share with you good news about that opportunity.
Whether I am selected by AmeriCorps or not, I'm going to devote myself full-time to volunteer efforts here in the county.
And you'll be getting regular reports about my ups and downs. I'm counting on you to help me make the most of it.
Thank you, my friends, for helping me get my feet back under me and now, hopefully, putting my best foot forward.
Your classmate,
David