Wall of Fame

An interesting thought came to me in the form of a question. If I chose people from my life to place on a ‘wall of fame’, so that I could honor them and their place in my life, who would they be?

I imagined this as a tribute to acknowledge their supportive or encouraging or inspiring connection to me. And I discovered that a deep sense of gratitude grew inside me as soon as I began making my choices.

I imagined a large outdoor wall with plenty of room for me to create using whatever materials I wanted.

If you joined me in this project and had your own wall of fame to build and decorate, who would appear there for you?

I decided to look outside my family for the names of those I would place on my wall, even though they were my first choices. I think I wanted to explore what outside influences have served to shape my life and so I allowed my mind to drift, inviting memories to flood in.

At first, some traditional groups came forward, starting with my fourth-grade teacher, Mrs. Hosey. I knew from the moment I met her that she would be one of my all-time favorites. There was something extra to her and I could tell she really liked me. This had to have been true because seventeen years after I left fourth grade, she made a special trip to open an account at a branch of a bank I worked for, just to see me. What a treasure!

Curiously, no other teacher made my list until I got to college. Elementary, Junior High (yes, I’m that old) and Senior High teachers are all a kind of blur in my mind.

College produced several ‘inductees’, Dr Keiter and Dr Setzer, both religion professors, and Dr Bocher, a science professor offered me freedom and form and demonstrated their belief in me as a student and as a person. In fact, I believe Dr Keiter saved my life, because had it not been for his courses, I probably would have failed out, been drafted and gone to Vietnam.

A solid string of others entered my mind, Mrs. Ruling, who gave me a job at Central Stores at college (where professors got their supplies) and referred me for my first job after graduating. And Bill Stropes, my supervisor at Holiday Inn, for promoting me to maintenance from my janitor position. What separated him from so many others though was that he treated me fairly, despite my incredibly long hair and goatee. He looked beyond his first impression and saw me for who I was. He was a very special man.

Others who I raised up onto my wall came from the ministry. They answered as many of my questions as they could, then watched over me as I steered my own course, even though it veered away from them. Later Jim and Crystal entered my life and enriched it beyond what I thought possible.

And there was a host of coworkers, bosses and customers who made my list. To have folks who love and support you, who challenge and engage you, who push and pull you, makes all of the difference. Several coworkers became my best friends: Doug, Dan, and Marty. Others endeared themselves to me through their efforts and deep connections: Sue, JoAnn, Cindy, Amy, Lyne, Carla, Lynn and San. And a few of my bosses opened their arms and hearts to me and treated me with respect and admiration; Gary, Margaret, Rita.

I’ve found over my life that special people can come from anywhere and appear at any time. They may be there for one special moment or stay throughout my life.

Name after name came to me from my present life, especially folks from Unity Church, Kripalu, and my spirit families. My wall filled up so quickly that I had to add more space. So many have walked next to me and touched my heart. More than I can name here.

I wonder, who would make it onto your wall? What criteria would you use? What sort of designs or decorations would you place next to their names?

I marvel at the wonderful sense of gratitude this created in me and I hope it does the same for you.