“The older I get the more I realize that the things that cost nothing hold the most value.”
~ Unknown
This is my friend and former student Elizabeth Leggett. I had not seen, or even heard from, her in a very long time until suddenly, today, she appeared at work. She wanted to give me a copy of her book “Digitization and Digital Archiving.” I was, and am, so proud of her for this. What an unexpected opportunity for her, one she rightfully embraced. She did a fantastic job, too. It really is a great book. Then she gave me the shock of a lifetime when she opened the cover.
I’m not prone to crying, but I was so touched that I welled up a little. I can’t tell you how validating it is. Knowing I made a difference in someone’s life is a real honor. There are times I go home frazzled, feeling marginalized, my talents overlooked (everybody feels like that sometimes, I’m certainly not unique in this). Then, in walks a young woman who’s life I helped along all because she paid attention to what I told her. That makes every frazzled, personal disappointment worth it. To make a difference is exactly why I took to librarianship, and I’m overflowing with joy to learn it hasn’t been for nothing.
Guido, as Crystal and I lovingly nicknamed Elizabeth (which she gladly answered to), is extraordinarily kind to everyone she meets. A gentle soul with a heart as big as Texas, and talent to boot. I could not be more grateful for her. And gosh darn it, I’m just so proud of her I could bust. I’m liable to smile for a week solid!
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