Farsighted

FF Chapter 6 -- Celebrating Collaboration

Who you are today
Does not define tomorrow
Dream, question, impact
~Chris Jordan

Dear Chris,

As I begin, I wonder how I might keep this missive brief. I looked up missive; it means — a letter, especially a long or official one. I will officially try to say a lot — with few words. ;)

How many miles have we walked together?
By foot and in life?

Our connection runs long and deep. There is so much magical math to thank you for — our friendship is a testament to what happens when 1+1 goes well beyond a sum of 2. You make my life bigger, stronger, and richer than it could ever be without you.

We experienced the wings pictured above together in Nashville last summer. What a joy it is to travel together.

We are not able to see each other as much as I’d like… Beach walks and university-town walks, learning how to wax on/wax off the orange Pinto with your father, listening to Julie Andrews sing about hills alive with the sound of music, pitching tents, and cooking frozen pizzas over a fire — memories that I cherish.

We graduated, moved, and married. Throughout our boy’s growing up years, we always made a point to meet for a summer day at a pool or beach.

I’m not sure if I’ve ever really told you how much I admire your dedication to the seven and eight-year-olds you teach how to read, write, add, and subtract. The system is flawed and yet you creatively show-up, go above-and-beyond, and teach so much more than is required. When I think of the ripples you have created, I smile.

Thank you for inspiring me… and for sharing a piece of yourself in Flourishing Fictions.

You make me want to be a better person.

Gratitude and Love,

Gail