Thursday, August 27, 2015

August 27: Writing Prompt #239-I’d Like to Thank My Cats

You are receiving an award –- either one that already exists, or a new one created just for you. What would the award be, why are you being honored, and what would you say in your acceptance speech?

I’m not very good at the receiving an award thing.  I don’t know that there’s any award, real or newly created by me, that I would say I deserve to receive. It’s not really something I need or look for, the formal accolades, that is. I’m happy to receive a genuine thank you from a co-worker or just the feeling that I know I’ve helped make their day a little easier.  The awards I have received, unasked for, are for work I’ve done with 4-H on the island as a volunteer and employee, work for the elementary school as an ELL (English Language Learning) teacher, and work for Child, Youth, and School Services all back on Kwajalein Atoll.  I am thankful for these awards and humbled by them, but they were all awards which were given for things I did because they were my passion! I never thought of volunteering for and setting up my 4-H clubs or starting the Ri-Katak parents workshops (which I received awards for) to receive recognition. It was simply because it was something I wanted to do in order to provide something meaningful for my parents and students as well as for myself, really. I enjoyed leading the kids’ clubs and the parent meetings for my Marshallese students.  Truly.  So, in a sense, I believe this is the only way an award should be given, to those who are following their passion with no thought for themselves and what they might get out of it, but instead for just doing what they love. What about you? What do you think? 

No comments: