–by Thomas Richards

Dear Optimist,

I am a senior citizen and a graduate of the University of Texas Austin.  I picked up your newspaper on a visit to the Welcome Center last week.

I read Lauren Franco’s article and was impressed by her passion.  I have lost so many loved ones and now at 69 they inspire me with memories of past kindnesses, glorious friendships, and memorable times when I was a happy kid doing mischievous things, but adults were always nearby to straighten me out with a tender hand.  I think we call this familial love.  I remember when I was an English teacher in Taiwan and heard the term for the first time, filial piety, which meant the deep respect  and gratitude children have towards their parents in that culture.  Lauren seems well versed with the love and the piety comes right after that in a coordinated fashion.   She has learned the esteem of helping others and the modesty of knowing she fails, and she says “often.”  A humble servant is born.

I also read Ashley Alfred’s column and support the young lady.  Make your school special in its own uniqueness.  Apparently Chapels is part of the curriculum, part of your class regimen.  Make it a meaningful part of your life and not just an obligation.  How?  Self-discovery.  What to do?  Read Psalms before attending.  Read a short passage from your favorite book with messages for worship.  Contemplate as you go to chapels; integrate the message with something immediate in your daily life.  Never stop thinking, as Lauren writes she never stops helping others.

To Ashley and Lauren, “Thank you for your contribution to my life.  Thank you for helping your school.”

Lauren, as you write that you often fail, pls let me offer this to you.  With Chapels or Abilene, and many other things in life, it is what you bring to the endeavor, place or person that determines what you receive.  Don’t be too hard on yourself nor judge too severely.

Humility:  I always have something to learn; something I can do better.  Oh God please help me.