A couple months ago, I was reminiscing about recent memories with my Mother-in-Law, Lori. We were talking about all of the developments that had happened to our family recently: Adam and I’s marriage, nieces and nephews growing older, and new additions to our family. To give you more insight, Lori became a grandmother last year and absolutely LOVES her new role to pieces! I have therefore become an aunt as well and I also LOVE being apart of my nephew, Everett’s, life. We can see him gain his unique personality, giggle, and mannerisms right before our eyes… and it is priceless. We shared how now family events seem that much more special and exciting! Life makes more sense with Everett in it.
As we were having this conversation, Lori said, “Sometimes I get tears in my eyes when I think about the people I have not met yet. I can imagine myself, years from now, being surrounded by more family members, grandchildren, and their children, that I have not met yet. Even though these family members that do not exist yet, they will change me forever. I will love them more than I can even express. Once I meet them, I will feel like I never lived a day without them.”
Her beautiful perspective brought chills to my spine.
When I think of her analogy, I am overwhelmed with emotion as I think about the people I have met over the years who have made such a positive impact on my life. People that I never knew I would meet, people I never anticipated to encounter, but once I did, they changed me. I was never the same. I was better because of THEM.
I can also apply this same thinking to my school family: Each year as educators we gain new students and staff members. These incredible students and staff can bring each of us such perspective, happiness, joy, and learning that we could never anticipate. The course of our life will adapt and evolve due to these amazing people. It is inspiring to know that wherever you are in your life, you always have the chance of meeting someone next week, month, or next year that will undoubtedly leave a positive imprint on you.
So, here is to the people we have not met, yet: May our paths cross, may we learn more from each other than we could have apart, and may we always see each new interaction as a chance to begin a beautiful journey of compassion and understanding.
