After 130 history filled years our little college, Atlantic Union College, will not open this fall. If all goes as planned we will become the north campus of Washington Adventist University and open for classes next summer. We were planning on beginning classes this fall but the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has yet to grant WAU the right to do business in Mass. My wife and I will have a fairly relaxed winter. We will not worry about getting to school on blizzard mornings.
Because all of us were pink-slipped at the end of July we were instructed to vacate our offices. What a task that has become – lots and lots of trips to the college dumpster. Our local public library allows us to check out paintings and I have had a spectacular picture of a flower garden in my office. Last Friday I returned it. Hopefully I can check it out again next year. When I entered the public library I was very warmly received by the staff. I was hugged (I don’t know these people.) and wished well as they consoled me regarding our school. I must be one of the very few people who have ever checked out hugs from the library. I must admit it was better than most of the other things I have checked out through the years.
What impressed me was the genuine care and expressions of kindness. Our world is such a nurturing place when we express care and concern for each other. While I am not advocating going about hugging strangers, I think we can make someone’s day by expressing or sending verbal or virtual hugs their way. It really does feel good.
Written by Roger Bothwell on August 3, 2011
Spring of Life Ministry, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
Rogerbothwell.org