Last night i had the privilege of hanging out with a group of college students that were once my kids that I was a leader of back when they were in High School. I was always drawn to this group of kids. There was something about them that had me wanting to be with them. It’s not like they were the cool kids, even though they were pretty cool. I didn’t love their class better than any other class. There was something in them, in all of them that had me wanted to be their leader. I would do anything for these guys, give them rides, get them food, check up on them and encourage them. I would do whatever I could for them because I knew they were culture changers, and leaders that would take this world by storm.
I have recently moved back to Maryland from Australia and have been cleaning my old room and getting rid of stuff, and during this process I found a lot of old notes and things, and some of these were from my students saying good bye and telling the things I had done in their life. I was reading through some of these and reflecting back on the days when I was their leader (this was about 6 years ago). I started thinking of all the things we had been through together, family struggles, drama, relationships, cigarette burns, injuries, games, late nights hangouts, and so much more. This group meant the world to me and all these guys are still leading amazing lives, learning and soaking up life.
I was sitting in the back yard with the parents of one of the girls I was closest with and her dad looked at me and said “you know a lot of the credit goes to you for this group being as close as they are”. I was blown away when he said that. I hadn’t really ever thought of that. I always did what I did because that was my passion. I didn’t even realize that I had developed a group of life long friends who would be closer today than we had imagined. Most of these people go to schools in different states and are studying different things, but that doesn’t matter. Time nor space can change this group.
I’m not writing this to say look at me and what I did, because quite frankly I doubt it had anything to do with me. I think I have learned more from them, than they did from me. The sad thing is how smart all of them are, they make me look like 4th grader who just peed their pants. What I want to say though is Thank you, to that group of sophomore kids who showed me a lot about life. I know you all are going to change the world in some way, shape, or form, in some sphere where you find yourself. I want to always be cheering you on and lifting you up.
I’m not sure what else to say, I hope you hear the heart more than the words…. You guys rock…. I’m really not even sure this counts as a blog post…. oh well….
Great post man! Love your work…
David Wakerley
May 18th, 2010