BluestoneReview

often than not, they are limited by their fears of failure – anticipating that others will shine a spotlight on their inadequacy, and yet the truth of the matter is that the world does not care what you do—nothing you do “matters,” except when it matters to you. Skeptics might argue that even the most microscopic decision could affect the balance of things – the balance of what? Good and evil? Rich or poor? Nature or nurture? This is not the Domino Theory; this is the basics of life. Humans live on a planet that is one of a billion in a galaxy that is one in a billion. Who are they to expect greatness? Where does that entitlement derive from? It is not until people do something that matters to them that they get a taste of worth – of significance. Why would this piece of writing stick out to someone who has written some- thing “famous?” Why does this piece matter? It matters because it is significant to writers. It is a piece of their story dedicated to a significant person who taught them the purpose of embracing insignificance. Now, so far, this might seem insensitive, but the truth is that Rob Merritt, the significant person to whom this piece is dedicated, teaches one of the most important lessons a human can learn. He teaches his students to write about everything and anything that matters to them. He will read students’ poetry and their plays – he will listen to their speeches about saving the oceans – he will even acknowledge their analysis of a short story as an appropriate response to the makeup of the plot. How - ever, he will not lie to their faces and tell them they have outdone them- selves because unless the words are given a meaning significant to the writer… then they are just more words written into a poorly constructed sentence. There is no merit in meaningless words. On the other hand, Merritt elicits a challenge from his students every time he asks them to write. He will blatantly discourage repetition and pointless banter; instead, he will ask big questions that on the sur - face seem small – “why can’t you throw away papers you have written that you do not like?” or, better yet, “why do you keep them?” They do not know, Merritt! They do not understand why they keep notebooks, binders, and leaflets of a thousand words – not until they are encouraged to “write about it” do they realize that those meaningless, insignificant words have the power to convey what matters. Thank you for your passion, thank you for your guidance, and thank you for your friendship. The humbling that comes from acknowl - edging insignificance pushes me to write and share my story. It may not “matter” to anyone else, but it matters to me, and you taught me that – I am so grateful to have experienced your teachings, and I will never for- get to “write about it.”

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