true to "thine own self"

 opening the gift of self

as a teacher at Carolina Friends School for over half a century,

I pride myself on my seeing the students as themselves,

as individuals not defined, restricted by family or societal expectations,

nor even by their own early self-definition,

of who they expected to be,

of who they hoped to be,

but rather, instead, open to what they could find within 

in their celebration of uniqueness,

each tentatively could open the present

that is who they are,

each could then find and use a true mirror

that confirms that each is on the right path forward,

and commit to trust and celebrate their individuality,

plus all the bonds of friends, each on their own similar journeys,

yesterday I savored watching four former students

who have found themselves as musicians,

who have found their way forward,

truly, and with joy,

what a gift to the current students

for three of them to share their music and selves in classes

the day after the performance,

helping inspire each student 

to continue on their own journeys.

by Henry Walker

September 28, 2026