Sooooo.
There is no good way to tell this story without either 1) sounding like I’m tooting my own horn, or 2) telling the truth and making it seem like I am fishing for compliments.
I got an award.
Back in December I got a telephone call from Concordia University’s president on the day before my birthday. He said, “Congratulations on this momentous occasion!” and I said, “Thanks! How did you know it was my birthday?” He then went on to say that I was going to be the recipient of Concordia’s Master Educator Award at May’s graduation. All the blood drained from my body and I believe I muttered ‘….thanks’.
I don’t know – it’s all a blur.
It took quite some time to come to grips with it. There were many reasons this bothered me – most of them revolving around how I had had one of my most difficult years with several screw-ups on my part that made me feel like a complete rookie, plus the fact that when the bio form came to complete, it had a whole page of ‘tell us your community & church involvements, and any publications you have (and – I kid you not:) if too numerous, just list the most important ones‘. I had a tearful night when I told Lloyd that this just held up a mirror to what a lazy hermit I am.
Anyway, I’m over that now. I practiced just saying ‘Thank you’ and not trying to explain all my shortcomings, because honestly – nobody cares.
Oh, I also didn’t tell anyone about this. My thoughts were that we’d just get through the event and then I’d go shopping after graduation. When it was time to RSVP for the pre-graduation meal, I responded that it would just be me and Lloyd. Lloyd said, “Are you sure you don’t want to talk to your parents?” The guilt got me, so on Easter I called and said, “Happy Easter! (OhbythewayI’mgettinganawardandit’snobigdealandyoudon’thavetocome.)” Mom said, “Errrr, we already know and were planning on surprising you.” Apparently Beth had called by brother Mark and ratted me out. All is forgiven, Beth – I was glad to see my family. 🙂
Annette (here with SIL Rachel) was my host and nominator. I guess we could say this was all her fault doing.
The staff at the CDC, who really are the ones who deserve this award because they are truly the best people on earth to work with, threw a surprise party for me last week with most excellent, appropriate presents!
So anyway, it’s all done now. I sat as still as possible up on stage, accepted the plaque when it was time, and didn’t even fall down once! For that alone, I should get another award.
Lloyd here now with with a few other photos (posted without Lauren’s permission)