Thursday, October 02, 2008

A message from Jim Lynch

I'm writing this to thank all those wonderful people from the class of '77 who took the time to send stories/notes, etc. to my wife for inclusion in my surprise retirement gift. I'm hoping that you can post this on your website. I have never been so surprised or gratified in all my adult life (Christmas mornings as a kid were always special). Now that I'm retired (it's still hard to come to terms with that concept), I often look back on my career and wonder whether anything I tried to accomplish was worth the effort. Needless to say, you guys made my day (week, month, year, decade).

Along with many other students from others years, you literally gave meaning to my chosen profession. Any of you who may be teachers know that the job does not always involve validation, so it is difficult to know whether or not you're achieving what you set out to accomplish. I must say that I chose the right profession (or rather that it chose me - but that's another story) because I always enjoyed getting up in the morning and going to work. Not too many people in other professions can say that. No two days were ever alike, and I enjoyed the greatest bunch of students I could imagine. On top of that, I got to share my passion for literature with a captive audience.

My retirement allows me to indulge my love of reading - something that always took a back seat to correcting tests/essays in the evenings and on weekends. Because I most often taught college courses in the evenings/weekends/summers as well, I acquired a ton of fiction and non-fiction that I now am enjoying - along with current stuff. I' currently enjoying the Swedish novel "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" by Stieg Larsson. I recommend it enthusiastically to anyone looking for a good read. I also have an extensive film collection on DVD that keeps me busy. That, coupled with being a "house husband," signifies that retirement means never having to say you're bored (apologies to that awful '70's novel).

At this point in my life, Ada and I are proud grandparents of two granddaughters - Maureen and Ada (my son and daughter-in law's children). They are eight and six respectively, and I can't wait until they are teenagers when Karma kicks in for my son (that's another story as well). Jim is just about finished with a double PhD in Spanish and Medieval Literature. Amy is at the same point with a PhD in rhetoric. She is a professor at Kutztown University, and Jim teaches at Indiana University in Bloomington where he will receive his degrees. Both will "walk" in May of next year to receive their PhD's. Both kids with advanced degrees in English - go figure!

Well, I've babbled too much - and I need to get back to Stieg Larsson, so I'll close with a thank you and a big hug to all those from my favorite class (no kidding).

With gratitude and affection,

Jim Lynch

2 Comments:

Blogger John said...

Mr Lynch,
You deserve every word that was written in those notes. People rarely run across someone in their life who has such a profound effect that carries with you through a lifetime. I was one of many graced by the gift of your presence within the journey. I'm a better person because of it. Thanks for taking the time to be a friend as well as a teacher.

Fri Oct 10, 11:45:00 AM PDT  
Blogger John said...

Mr Lynch,
You deserve every word that was written in those notes. People rarely run across someone in their life who has such a profound effect that carries with you through a lifetime. I was one of many graced by the gift of your presence within the journey. I'm a better person because of it. Thanks for taking the time to be a friend as well as a teacher.

Fri Oct 10, 11:45:00 AM PDT  

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