When I was in undergrad, I had a lot of art shows that none of my family made it to. The most hurtful part of it was that it wasn’t that they didn’t have the time or resources to come, but that they just didn’t want to. It affected me pretty deeply… I was attending these show openings alone and being recognized by publishers, editors, writers, authors, and so much more that praised me and my work. None of it touched me the way it should have, because the people I loved, cared for, and wanted there the most weren’t there.
Ever since I graduated, I come back for the senior show every year and buy a couple bouquets of roses to give every single student a single rose. It’s something I told myself I would do for the next 3 years until every student I’ve ever interacted with graduates out.
I think it’s incredibly brave to pursue a creative career, and even more so when you aren’t fortunate enough to have a support system that celebrates your creative achievements and milestones.
Anyways, I had a really wonderful night. I have this really bad habit of underestimating how much I impact people… I didn’t notice it until someone pointed out exact instances and told me he wished he touched people the way that I did. He pointed out students jaw dropping seeing me, how many people stopped in their tracks to come up and hug me, and overall just how happy people are to see me.
It’s silly… I do things strictly for the love of wanting to give, not because I expect anything in return. I genuinely forget about the things I’ve done for people until they bring it up and tell me. I had students coming up to me tonight thanking me for the times I gave them rides home, for the nights I kept labs open after hours and helped them with their projects.
Out of all the people who have told me I’m one of a kind, I don’t know how I keep forgetting it…
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