Good Morning,
Some of you have followed previous blogging adventures that I shared on a blogsome site, but I have chosen to begin a new blog; one that is up to date and one that will focus on a number of different topics. Some of my favorite things are (and not necessarily in order of preference or importance) writing and technology, food and wine as well as the pairing of those two things, traveling, particularly on my Harley, politics, and understanding the meaning of life (for a small topic).
What I know is that I love to learn and there is so much yet to discover and understand during the time we are allotted here in this world. I was reminded of that very poignantly yesterday when a colleague of my was stricken while still in the classroom. Unfortunately for those of us left, she passed away, but I would like to believe did not suffer in those last minutes. She was a passionate educator and wonderful colleague. In spite of her small stature (probably under 5 feet tall), she had a commanding, yet gentle presence. She had a brilliant mind and a bigger heart. She reached out to students and colleagues alike. The picture above is of her on her wedding day.
Serving on the university curriculum committee with her, she was strident about the rights of the faculty and the important place students hold in the academy. Whenever I saw her in the hallway or on campus, she greeted me with a smile and a hug. I know that the heels she wore will not be easily filled and the voice and passion she share has left us all better for having known her.
What I know is that there was little warning, or so it seems, that when she sat down in her classroom last evening it would be the last thing she ever did. Yet, how apropos that the very last thing she did was what she loved to do, to teach. I am reminded of the scripture that tells us to “let the days troubles be sufficient for the day”. Indeed, we do not know what the morrow will bring. One of the most important things I have learned is if I have no control over something, I cannot, or at least, should not, waste energy on it. That has been a hard lesson for me to incorporate into my life, but I am learning. It has only taken about half a century.
What I do know is that many of my colleagues are grieving today, and that grief is important for the loss of GCD is a huge blow to the department, the college and the university. What I know is I am a better person for having known her. Bless you my dear colleague and thank you for the hugs and smiles.
Thanks for reading,
Michael
thewritingprofessor55 
Dr. Martin,
Madison here! I have enjoyed traveling back in the years and read about what was present in your life during a much different time period. I appreciated your reference to Matthew in this blog post and the peace it gave you during this time is a beautiful reminder of how awesome God is. It made me sad to hear your grieving for this woman but it was incredible to hear about her impact in your life and what seems to be countless others as well. This woman you described, ironically sounds a bit like me. Well, that is her teaching career and her small stature! It was inspiring to hear the impact she left in the classroom and this is something I hope to accomplish during my career as a teacher who also is small in stature, loving yet stern when needed and an inspiration in the academic world.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts! I always enjoy reading these.
My overall reaction and internalization of this blog post is how it reflects on the sudden and unexpected passing of a colleague, who was quite a passionate educator and a good colleague. You express your grief and the loss that the university community is experiencing. Your reflections serve as a reminder that life is precious, and we must appreciate and cherish every moment we have in this lifetime. You also share that you have learned the hard lesson of not wasting energy on things that you cannot control. This resonated with me, as that is something I’m actively trying to recognize and overcome myself. Overall, this post is a touching tribute to the colleague who passed away and a reminder to always cherish the people in our lives. Something I must do more of.
Dr. Martin,
Seeing as though I am one of your most current students as of Feb. of 2024, I thought it would be interesting to go back to the very beginning of you blog from over a decade ago, and read a couple posts to see how your writing and life have evolved.
It seems like I keep picking the blogs where you talk about a loved one or friend passing. Your feelings of grief for each person is so beautiful and caring. Thank you for continuously sharing your thoughts with your classes. I look forward to reading more.
Dr. Martin,
Throughout this semester, I have read and replied to your numerous posts. I have read more than I replied to, particularly because of limited time. I have decided to return to the beginning of your blog. How were you feeling when you first started this blog, what was on your mind, how has your writing developed and changed in these blog posts as time went on? These are all questions I asked myself when deciding what to read; I figured the best place to start was your first blog.
You mention some of your favorite things, like writing and technology, food and wine, traveling, and understanding the meaning of life. It is evident you enjoy these things in your writing, especially understanding the meaning of life. Although you specify the meaning of life as a small topic, I think it plays a much larger role in your writing than you thought it would. I have read about people (alive and deceased), your experience with an uncurable disease, the impact of COVID-19 in our community and the entire world, and politics and current events in your posts; all of these connect to the meaning of life, although they do not directly answer the question. Perhaps, the meaning of life varies from person to person. However, it is undeniable that life is precious but taken for granted. I wonder how much the world would change if people realized this. I can imagine that life would be more equal and equitable, there would be less crime, violence, and war, etc.
Like you, I love learning. It lets me grow as a person and helps me positively change the world (or at least I think so). I hope learning is something I continue to love, especially because it is something that occurs in all stages of life, not just our younger years. I am excited about this; I can combine old knowledge with new knowledge for new and, perhaps, better outcomes. Recently, I have decided I want to take a cooking class. I do not know much about cooking, but I want to learn how to make basic meals if I get an apartment in the Fall (which I am planning to do with my boyfriend). I do think the process will be fun, and it will benefit me throughout the rest of my life.
It is sad reading about your colleague who passed away. More people in the world should be like she was. Though she passed away with no signs, it is comforting to know she died after doing something she loved and, in a place, where people loved her. This reminds me of a teacher at my school who passed away from cancer. I did not have her as a teacher, but my friends did. Her loss was not only felt by the students, but the community as a whole.
Like you say, we do not know what tomorrow brings, and there are things we have no control over. This just adds to the idea that we should not take life for granted. I do think having no control over certain things stresses me out. I try not to worry about what I cannot control, but sometimes the feelings of stress and anxiety persist. I try to alleviate this stress by doing something productive or something I enjoy, like cleaning or drawing. By doing this, I guess I create some kind of control to feel balanced. For now, I will enjoy and manage life’s ups and downs to the best of my abilities.
Thank you for this thoughtful post and thank you for your blog overall. This blog is shorter compared to the others I read and replied to. Yet, I deeply understand and relate to what you’ve said here. Reading these posts has been insightful and therapeutic, and maybe this is the case for you too. I find myself listening to music (which you mention quite often) and focusing on connections between your experiences and my experiences. I have learned more about myself while learning about you. Thank you for this opportunity. I hope you continue to blog while enjoying your retirement.
Mackenzie Baker