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09 December 2004: That's What It's All About (5 of 5)
So, I get fewer love letters and I'm okay with that. The affection and correspondence that I receive from students now is far more meaningful, because it happens on their time, in their ways. The letters and emails that I receive from past and current students never go unanswered. Sometimes, they have academic questions. Often they want to discuss a personal issue with another student that I know. Lots of times, they just want to tell me about their day.
When Frank called the other day, he didn't tell me he loved me or he missed me. Just the fact that he called was enough. Enough to demonstrate that while those things are true, it also shows so clearly that he believes that I love and value him. As a result of this truth, I got inspired to get in touch with my favorite high school teacher. Now that I truly know what kind of an investment he made in me, I went back to thank him, and with tears in my eyes to tell him that I'd become a teacher. That's what it's all about.
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