In my last entry over a year ago, I wrote about not writing for 15 months and trying to do better.  Well, here I am another 15 months later.  This time it was rather intentional.  I thought about writing so many times.  But I just couldn’t bring myself to do it.  It was like it has been taking all I have to keep myself grounded after the election that took place four months after my last entry.  I hate the idea of giving space to the one who won that election, but for history’s sake, just let me record that things have been as bad—even worse—than I feared.  I am still recovering over a year later.  It is difficult to do because virtually every single day there is another jaw-dropping addition to his sorry retinue.  It is taking all I have to maintain.

But, for more pleasant matters, today is the last day of class for the semester and that always makes me feel a sense of release and relief, as well as sadness.  After spending a semester with my students, I always feel like they are my baby birdies and I am releasing them to the world.  In a way, I guess I am.  I love it when they let me know how they are.  A couple of months ago I had he most extraordinary thing happen.  One of my former students was chosen for the honor of being recognized in the 2017 “40 Under 40” event my university gives for young alumni who have done something truly special.  We are blessed to have many, many applicants for the honor, but only 40 are chosen.  One was one of my former students and in his essay he mentioned that I was one of his favorite professors.  I decided to surprise him by attending the event in ATL (he lives in DC).  I was shocked to open the rather voluminous commemorative program at the event and see that his entry began with his comments about me being his favorite professor.  How gratifying.  And the top notch event was awesome.  I’m so proud of Nick and happy for his wife, Ashley.