Saturday, September 15, 2012

Good News Comes in Threes Too

In an hour, I'll be on my way to a Hindu house blessing.  For more on the theological/ecumenical aspects of that, see this post on my theology blog.

At the end of October, my Hindu friend suffered a devastating house fire.  She has persevered, and the house has been rebuilt.  Today we bless it at a time the Hindu priest has deemed auspicious 6-7:30 a.m.

Last night was the first night she slept in the new house.  Yesterday, I sent the first of a series of good news e-mails to let our department know of her happy news.  I've been sending out so much bad news that it was good to send out a happy e-mail.

If you want to read more about this process of reclaiming a house, my friend has been keeping a blog for years, and she's written eloquently about her journey.  I'm hoping that great art will come out of her loss and pain.

Like the writerly vampire that I am, I, too, have found inspiration from her ashes.  If you want a writing prompt, see this post.  My friend has always been generous, and she doesn't seem to begrudge being this kind of inspiration.

Yesterday at work, I also got to let my department know that one of our colleagues successfully defended his dissertation.  I am in awe of people who can do this:   have a family, teach a 5-5-5-5 load, and do graduate work.  Astonishing.

And then, I was able to send out my own good news:  I will transition into the new position in the restructuring of our school.  I have been the Chair of General Education, and now I will be the Academic Coordinator of Humanities and Communications.  My sister says it sounds like a more impressive title.  I'm seeing it as a lateral move, although our restructured school has directors and coordinators who report to directors in the Program areas.  I will report to the dean.

So, technically, it may not be a lateral move.  But I am not suffering a cut in pay or benefits, so I'm not going to quibble over titles.  And quibbling over titles would do no good.

Besides, my title just doesn't matter to me--unless you're giving me a title that says something about my good personality traits.  If you titled me Kindest, Most Understanding Administrator Ever, well, I'd like that title.  Least Hypocritical Christian We Have Known--how I strive to be worthy of that title.  Generous, Patient:  some days I master those titles.  Poet of Extraordinary Figurative Language:  I'd love that title.  I strive to avoid this title:  Poet Who Inserts Line Breaks Into Mundane Prose.

I wouldn't know how to put any of those titles into a resume or CV.  But those are the titles that spur me, not the more mundane titles of the world.

6 comments:

Jeannine said...

Glad to hear your good news!

Kathleen said...

Oh, yes, I am glad, too, to hear the good news! And glad of the house restoration and blessing!

Bess said...

I am gladdened by all the good news you have shared. I pray that as your work life settles you will find a firm foundation from which to launch even more endeavors. I am often amazed at your creative energy and find inspiration in each of your posts.Love, Peace and Hugs, Bess

Wendy said...

I'm behind in my blog reading. Congratulations on the job (I think). Looking forward to the memoir (yeah. I'm reading backwards.)

Kristin Berkey-Abbott said...

Thanks, Bess--it means so much to hear that you're inspired by these posts!

Thanks, Wendy--I'm glad to know that my memoir idea appeals--and your comment makes me hopeful that such a memoir could find readers!

Kristin Berkey-Abbott said...

Thanks Kathleen and Jeannine--it's nice to have good news to share.