Last night, I took my mother to the Rule High School 1960 Class Reunion.
I did not go to Rule, in fact, until my mother opened the Knox County Museum of Education, I did not even know that there was a school called Rule. I was woefully ignorant of all the schools in this our hometown of Knoxville. I attended Sunnyview (in North Knox County) and Doyle High School (in South Knox County). Outside of those two schools, I was only ever aware of other schools because my mother taught at them or we played them in football at Doyle. I missed a lot of things about Knoxville back then (the late 1980s).
Last night, I met, ate and was entertained and educated by some of the very best people to ever come out of this small southern town. A few of these men and women went on to fame and fortune (like so many schools over the years) but what what stands out here is that most of the people there last night settled for being the good and the few.
What I mean is there are scholars, educators, inventors, writers, doctors, and other careers that we consider to engender success but being among the few and good means far more than being famous or wealthy- neither of which make you a good person.
Last night, this wonderful group of men and women made my mother an honorary graduate of Rule High School which made for one the best moments in my mother's life. She has had honors and titles bestowed upon her over the years, her name is on a wall of Fame amongst other similar honors; but it was this simple action of good people that has made her so very proud and grateful and happy.
That is what I mean.
It's too bad that there are only a few people out there that strive for what is truly good in this life. it would make the world a much better place if more of us put aside our own ambitions or plans for personal success or wealth and took the time to make a woman feel wanted, loved and accepted.
I leave you with that thought.
Take the time, be part of something that makes the difference for just one person, because in the end, I am willing to bet, it will make the difference for many others and that includes you as well.
and that is life according to Mike.
I did not go to Rule, in fact, until my mother opened the Knox County Museum of Education, I did not even know that there was a school called Rule. I was woefully ignorant of all the schools in this our hometown of Knoxville. I attended Sunnyview (in North Knox County) and Doyle High School (in South Knox County). Outside of those two schools, I was only ever aware of other schools because my mother taught at them or we played them in football at Doyle. I missed a lot of things about Knoxville back then (the late 1980s).
Last night, I met, ate and was entertained and educated by some of the very best people to ever come out of this small southern town. A few of these men and women went on to fame and fortune (like so many schools over the years) but what what stands out here is that most of the people there last night settled for being the good and the few.
What I mean is there are scholars, educators, inventors, writers, doctors, and other careers that we consider to engender success but being among the few and good means far more than being famous or wealthy- neither of which make you a good person.
Last night, this wonderful group of men and women made my mother an honorary graduate of Rule High School which made for one the best moments in my mother's life. She has had honors and titles bestowed upon her over the years, her name is on a wall of Fame amongst other similar honors; but it was this simple action of good people that has made her so very proud and grateful and happy.
That is what I mean.
It's too bad that there are only a few people out there that strive for what is truly good in this life. it would make the world a much better place if more of us put aside our own ambitions or plans for personal success or wealth and took the time to make a woman feel wanted, loved and accepted.
I leave you with that thought.
Take the time, be part of something that makes the difference for just one person, because in the end, I am willing to bet, it will make the difference for many others and that includes you as well.
and that is life according to Mike.
