Never send to know for whom the bell tolls

Over the years I’ve spoken to numerous area elementary, junior high, high school and college classes. With only a couple of exceptions, I’ve found area students to be interested in, in some cases fascinated with, the world of movies. And I’ve received some heartfelt thanks.

A few weeks ago, I drove out to Mead High School to speak to an advanced creative writing class taught by Dori Robertson. While the class was a writing class, we ended up talking mostly about what films the students like and, more important, why they liked them. Just today I received a packet filled with thank-you letters. One was especially heartening.

“I have been in several classes where a speaker has come to tell us about their experiences they went through to get where they are today,” one began. “I’ve never cared what they had to say. It’s not like I ever have a chance to follow in their path — and if I did, why would I want to? I’m a ‘C-average’ student. I love to write and draw (even though I’m no good at either of the two.

“When you came and started talking to us, you seemed like a cool guy — someone most of us could talk to (maybe even relate to). That’s a very respectable quality. Now I actually have a tad bit of hope for a future career (in something I have a passion for).

I don’t want to embarrass the writer, so I won’t use her name. But I do want to say this to her and to the rest of the class:

Thank me? No, thank you.