365 Days Of Love. Day 32

Prior to graduating 8^th grade, my middle school principal rendered a departing gift for my friends and I, a certificate indicating our induction into "Dr. Blumer’s Whiner’s Club." Laughingly, we accepted the award while reminiscing about our final year in middle school.

Generally, such an award, would lead bystanders to believe that my friends and I were disliked by our principal. On the contrary, I think our “whines,” whose root’s ranged from rules regarding gum chewing to our desire for our table to be first in line at lunch, were enjoyed by our principal. These whines and Dr. Blumer’s consequential (humorous) responses formed a connection that continues to resonate in my life.

When the 2010 earthquake devastated Haiti, Dr. Blumer was there to experience the rumbles. When I took my first trip to Haiti last June, he was one of the first people I told. Prior to leaving, Dr. Blumer fielded my questions about malaria medicine and bug spray as well as offered some of his seemingly infinite wisdom about Haitian culture and its beautiful people. Both times I went to Haiti, I returned to the states excited to share stories about my travels with Dr. Blumer.

Recently, Dr. Blumer wrote me a letter of recommendation for the school I’ll be working at in Haiti. In it, he wrote,

One of the best things about technology is that it has allowed me to stay in contact with Natalie. It is her blog that demonstrates her insightful writing and her enthusiasm for children and the underserved of our world.

But it has been her trips to Haiti that have captivated her interest and her soul. Having been to Haiti several times, it’s her connection to the people that is most impressive. In a short time she understood the issues, but more importantly she connected with the people and now would like to assist them to a brighter future.

The first time I read his letter, I thought, “Oh, he speaks far too highly of me.” As I read it over and over and over, I realized that he sees me as the person I aspire to me. He sees the best in me, the part of me that wants so desperately to weed out worse in me.

Dr. Blumer has undoubtedly had hundreds of students. In middle school, he didn’t have to consider me special enough to create an award for me. Recently, he didn’t have to share stories with me, listen to my stories, recommend me for the job I’ll be starting so very soon.

He did, though.

I’m undeserving of his generous words, I’m undeserving of his time, and I’m certainly underserving of the light he sees me in.

Dr. Blumer has taught me that loving is sharing a story, listening to the story of others, and allowing the inherent spirit within to dominate the light in which these stories are shared.