"You have a kind heart. I can tell you pray every day, inside it."
Those words were uttered by a man I had never met, and will probably never again see. But they are lodged in my mind, and I feel the need to share a story I have not told anyone. Bear with it, if you will. It has a point.
One week ago, I had the opportunity to travel with two other coaches to a mid-sized city to observe spring football practice, interact with coaches, and get an up-close look at a major college program as they try to rebuild. One morning, I woke up, and not wanting to wake the other two people who were not afflicted with whatever it is that keeps me from sleeping past 6:30 am, I grabbed shorts and shoes and slid out the door. A combination of hatred for treadmills and the clear, warm morning led me outside for a walk. I wandered, really without a direction except to see neighborhood. It was pretty cool. I met every person on the street the same way I meet every kid in the hallway before school. I nodded and said "Good morning" or "Hello." Apparently, despite the fact that this city is as Midwestern as it can get, size does matter. My small town greetings were not brushed off, but most simply nodded, maybe smiled, but none responded with much else. That is, until I turned down a one block street with a bench at the end.
As I walked, I noticed a man trodding along ahead of me. His coat was dirty and crumpled, and his hat was sweat-stained. He was a little bit ahead of me, and when he reached the bench, he dropped onto it, more heavily than would seem warranted that early. I nodded and said, "Good morning" as I neared the bench. It was then that I noticed just how rough and grisled he looked. However, he looked up, and for the first time that morning, someone replied, "Good morning." I kept walking past the bench, but then I had to stop. Behind me I heard him say, "Bless you. You are a good person." It slammed me to a stop. When I turned around and walked back, he looked up at me. "You have a kind heart. I can tell you pray every day, inside it." Odd? Maybe. Strange from a stranger? Perhaps. But his words, words he had no reason to say, struck me. Hard.
I did not know what else to do. I had slipped out without grabbing anything. And he was not asking for anything either. So I did the one thing I can do. I talked. The only thing that seemed appropriate was to say "Thank you." I meant it. We talked more, briefly. As I walked away, I said, "You hang in there. Have a good day."
"I will. I'm just trying to do good here."
Tonight, with the weather clear and calm, I went for another walk. The rough, haggard man sat in my mind. Recently, an incredible colleague of mine said that great teachers, teachers who make a difference, share a heart, and they let it guide them in what they do. Today, one of our students presented her Passion Project, which explored the effects of affirmation on others. I'll post the video component below. It is worth a look. In essence, she skillfully illustrated this thought that has been rolling in my head but that I was struggling to form into something more coherent.
Affirmation Creation
"I'm just trying to do good here."
The young lady wanted her project to drive her classmates to find those who mean something to them, those who have a positive impact on their lives, and let them know it, while they can. It is simple, it is free, and it is meaningful. As she told my class, for some, affirmation is a love language that can have a significant effect on people. But we have to use it. Too often, we let the opportunity pass.
Sometimes, I might read too much into things. My students will tell you that is true. And maybe that is what I am doing here. But so what. I realized I do pray every day, inside my heart. And over and over again, my prayers are answered. My kids are bright, loving individuals. They are incredible in being who they are. At school, amazing young people move through my room each day. Some have organized workdays to help a local homeless shelter, while another has organized a student-driven club with the mission "to make sure every student knows they have someone in their corner." Students are teaching grade schoolers to care for animals, conducting lessons on the dangers of judging a book by its cover, guiding Cares Club kids to explore the benefits of fine arts, and constructing motors using exotic metal alloys. One young lady has published a literary magazine for teens and submitted a manuscript for publication, several students have composed music and performed in amazing fashion, a young man has explored how writing serves as therapy for young people, and a young lady has explored how healthy exercise can improve mental health. The list can go on, but you can get the idea. These are amazing people. They are not "just kids". They are kids who have drive, intelligence, talent, and, most importantly, heart.
This afternoon I walked into the hallway outside a classroom where I had covered a class. I saw one of my students and said, "Hey, you missed my class today." He ran to me, gave me a hug, and said, "I know buddy! I'm sorry." How could I not end my day happy? A prayer, in its own little way, was answered. Just as so many others are, every day.
And I am inspired by those people I see each day. Those individuals remind me each day that they, and I, are striving for one thing:
"I'm just trying to do good here."
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