LTLYM #47: On Giving Thanks

Assignment #47. Write a letter to a former teacher thanking them for teaching you something.

So, I saw this LTLYM assignment on one of my favorite blogs (thanks, Kristen!) and it (again) inspired me.

You see, when I was watching the Inauguration this past January, Yo-Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman, and John Williams joined forces with other artists to create a music piece in honor of the event. I immediately thought back to my music class from my senior year in high school (9 years ago!) and thought then that I had to write to my music teacher to thank her for teaching me so much. Because of her, I attended my first classical concert. Yo-Yo Ma and Itzhak Perlman performed and I fell in love with the art they created with their instruments. Kristen's post reminded me of this. I had thought too much time had passed since January to write the letter now, but the truth is that it's never too late to let people know that they matter, that they've made a difference.

Music is one of those classes that I feel can easily get overlooked because it's not one of those "major" core courses (English, Math, Science, History and Foreign Languages). I have to admit that, at the time, I did not consider the class to be as important as others and while I did all the work, studied for the exams, and tried my best, it wasn't my priority. It's funny how the world works sometimes. Looking back, I learned so much from those 4 months (it was a class we only took for one semester) and so much of what I learned then I still remember today.

So, thank you, Kristen, for sharing LTLYM with me. I've learned so much about myself and others in just a few days of starting my own projects. Thank you, Jennifer, for sharing Kristen's blog with me (and for convincing me to start my own!). Without you both, this journey would never have started at all. While not teachers as such, I have learned so much from you. I'm a better person from having crossed paths with you. And, I believe it's essential for everyone to know the impact they have had on others and on the world. Life is such a fleeting thing. We should all be reminded of the value our own has from time to time.

My challenge to you, if you're reading this? Thank someone in your life. It's ok if it's not a teacher. Reality is, we all teach and we all learn from one another. We all have gifts we share. Don't forget to let others know that their art, whatever its form, matters.