Went to a car show this evening (Saturday, October 10, 2015), expecting to hang with gear heads, drool over rides, and listen to some great tunes. Little did I expect to turn around and spot one of my Victoria College students, who graduated last year. I had thought of her quite a bit, but had no way to contact her.
I’d gone for some tacos and wandered back to the group I’d been hanging with, when I spotted her, Elizabeth. While at VC Elizabeth had a set back, and pulled out of school. She and her mom came into my office to make it official. We didn’t talk past the official stuff, other than me offering some, well, for lack of other words, some words of support.
A few months later I spotted Elizabeth walking across campus. She’d come back to school. It wasn’t hard to spot her. Elizabeth wore boots. Really NEAT boots, and they caught my eye. I remembered her left school, so I made a point to find her, and say hey “Boots!” Then I’d look for her again and say, hey “Boots!” how’s things? I’d keep my eye’s open, and when I’d find her, it would be “Hey Boots!” How’s classes? I not only kept my eyes open for her, but found that she worked in one of the computer labs, so I’d go see her. We ended up visiting off and on before she graduated.
Elizabeth’s boyfriend jokingly referred to it as me stalking her, but Elizabeth clarified that I was simply looking for her, to check in on her best interest. We’ll that’s what it was. Me just looking out for students. Elizabeth earned her Associate Degree at the end of the year, and after the graduation ceremony, I hunted her down again. This time to congratulate her, and give her a big old hug.
I hadn’t seen Elizabeth since graduation day, and then, out of the blue, at a car show, there she was.
Was great to reconnect with her this evening. We had a great time, filling her boyfriend in on the stories. So great to see somebody come back to what they were working for, and seeing them succeed. Elizabeth is moving forward towards her Bachelor Degree. That’s My Why.
My Why is the folks I’ve been helping all these years. It’s such a kick to see people succeed and know that I was a little part of that, and I’m not done yet. Hence this Blog, and web site. Trying to figure out where to take it, so I can reach as many as possible, and provide good stuff, to help folks move on. People, My Why.
So, what’s your “Why?”