Let's be Clear

To Michael:

Let's be clear.

- Garrison Keillor

I've had this autograph for 13 years now.  I've often wondered what he really meant.

Back in my halcyon college days, I got to meet Garrison Keillor.  He came to Eastman to narrate a student's composition, and several of us were 'selected' to have lunch with him in the director's dining room followed by a chat.  The lunch was typical college food, but the chat was something else entirely.  The conversation took several unexpected (and highly amusing) turns before it came down to this:

"What was your clarifying moment?" 

 I don't recall who asked first, but ultimately we all 'had to' share one.  I was stumped.  I was the only person in the room who couldn't at least fake my way through a decent answer.  So I just looked at him and said, "I don't think I've had one yet."  He gave me a very empathetic look - not sympathetic (thank God), just empathetic.  He said, "You will one day."  And he gave me the autograph in the picture (sorry it's sideways, I haven't figured that out yet - it looks right on my computer but not on my blog).

Last Wednesday I took a large group of sixth graders to their high school for a special chorus get-together with college, high school, middle school, and elementary choruses combined.  It was a great experience for all, but especially for me.  I saw lots of former students roaming the halls.  Some have been in touch over the years.  Some almost daily, or weekly (mentoring and coaching pay off in contacts).  Some I've gone out of my way to keep in touch with - just thought they needed the extra encouragement.  But many, I've totally lost track off, and I often wonder if they remember me.

So, anyway, I also saw S.  He's a junior now.  I haven't spoken with him for several years.  Very bright, athletic, popular, well-adjusted, an all-around great kid.  But the thing is, truth be told, he never stood out to me in music class.  He always behaved, but I often wondered in the 3 years I taught him whether he was ever really 'on board' with what we were doing - it just seemed, on the outside, like music wasn't really his thing.  Then, last Wednesday, he took me aside in the hall on his way to lunch.  "I just wanted you to know, you were my favorite teacher I had in elementary school.  You're the best."  Something to that effect.

And now, it's all perfectly clear.