Day 6: The Magical Table

In 1998 an amazing thing happened to me at Stanford.  I was given the Lloyd W. Dinkelspeil award for excellence in undergraduate teaching.  As a career teacher this single event was the highlight of my professional life.  Since the award is given as a result of letters written by former students it means more than if it was simply a nod from the academy itself.  If students remember your efforts . . . well what could be better?
Along with the prestige came a handsome monetary prize.  At the time I thought, "Patricia, you should buy something with this that you would not have purchased otherwise."  And, so I ordered a hand-painted table from an amazing company called Sticks.  They offer one of a kind hand painted furniture pieces.  I was able to be part of the design decision making by giving them the text of words that ring the outer rim of the table.  Here are quotes that run around the edge:  In order of importance, but not necessarily order of placement next to each other:

Notice the gifts        

Cherish family

Plant flowers

Help neighbors

Live constructively

Make mistakes

Give yourself away

Be a friend

Read books

Fix things

Tolerance

Run a marathon

Eat good food and share

Laugh at yourself

Give foot rubs

Accept change

Wash hands

Say thanks a lot

Improvise

Treasure today

Sleep securely

Try new things

Smile a lot

Walk

Paint stuff

Exercise

Play games

Take naps

Plant trees

Bake cookies

Listen to the birds 

Keep moving

Eat veggies

Clean up your mess

Ron and I love sitting at this table looking out at the world, eating our oatmeal, being reminded of our values and celebrating our luck in life.  I owe this table to an amazing young women:  Nancy Stone.  Nancy was an undergraduate at Stanford who paid a lot of attention to life.  It was Nancy who quietly  waged a letter writing campaign to Stanford that resulted in my winning the Dinkelspiel Award.  And, so every time I look at this beautiful table I think of Nancy.  Thank you, Nancy.And, if you want a real treat, Nancy has launched a podcast storydive  with an amazing story of making amends.  You'll be impressed with her storytelling style.