I have been struggling lately in my writings. Well, with one piece in particular. I’m not quite sure why I have such trouble with it, yet, it’s been going on for weeks. Looking for the right words to write, the right expressions, but they don’t seem to exist. And, perhaps it’s not the right time, nor the right place to say what I need to say, but the day will come.
Perhaps it’s writer’s block, or whatever. But, one thing that keeps coming to mind over the past several weeks, in writing on this subject. I’m reminded of my days back in college, and one particular professor. I was attending the University of Central Oklahoma, and taking my first course in Humanities. It was my freshman year. What a time in my life. Just a young college student. Serving my county. Married. Working two jobs to make ends meet. Working alongside wonderful people like Dr. Dan Tubb, and a nurse named Jody, who have become lifelong friends of mine. Memories to share, memories that last forever. Yet, it was in that class, or actually when it was over, that I learned my most valuable lesson…The kind not taught in class, or in textbooks.
It was the last day of class. As we were walking out, the professor asked me and three other students to stay behind. And, in that moment, he proceeded to give his last lecture of the semester, one that I’ll never forget. He began by saying, “Flowers are often reserved for funerals.” I’m thinking, My God! Where is this going? Has someone passed away? Yet, he went on to say, “Today, I would like to share a flower with you.” He went on to paint a picture, through words, of the perfect rose, something I keep to this day.
He went on to thank us, for making that semester as a teacher, one of his best. And, he ended by wishing us the best as young college students, and in our lives and careers to follow. And, he ended by giving us each a perfect rose.
In looking back, that was perhaps, again, the greatest lesson I’ve learned, in the classroom, or this thing called life. And, that simple lesson is this. Never be too timid, too shy, too afraid to tell the ones you love how you feel. Never let a day go by without expressing how you feel, or in sharing a flower to brighten someone’s day. If someone comes into your life and has made a difference, for a lifetime, or a season, never hesitate to let this person know how you feel, should it be voiced, written, give them a flower. Let this person know how they have made your world a better place.
I remember waking up early one morning, this past fall, and I walked outside, and there on the rose-bush was the perfect bloom. I couldn’t help but share that moment with family and friends, but today, I want to share it with all, and I simply ask, that you do the same. Let’s not wait to tell one another how we feel. Flowers aren’t reserved just for funerals. May we live life with no regrets. May we pass this flower, this rose along. This rose, given to me by a wonderful, wise Humanities professor, I now give to you, for each of you have touched my life in a special way, and made my world a better place. HB