My phone buzzed and binged.  Seeing who was on the other end made me smile.  It was one of my former work colleagues. Leslie was the Director of marketing for Arkansas Surgical Hospital in Maumelle, Arkansas. She was looking for an assistant, or a coordinator of marketing services for the hospital. I had an advertising campaigns class that had just completed an assignment capstone project for this same hospital. Leslie, knowing that I had graduating advertising in PR majors every year asked me if I could recommend an entry-level person for her, perhaps even one of the students who had just worked on our class campaign for the hospital?

When you don’t know the answer in a multiple-choice question always go with “c.” As a young person, I was never a good student.  Partially because I was a poor test taker.  I didn’t like the testing process because I didn’t think it was a good indicator of my knowledge or skill set.  Ok, maybe I was also undisciplined and lazy.  Simply put, I just didn’t want to do, what I didn’t want to do.  I graduated with a lowly 2.0 GPA. As I grew up and matured, I seemed to have bloomed and became a natural student, because I was curious, and wanted to learn more for my own benefit.

This is my story of finding Amazing Grace at Wheaton College!
When I worked in Carol Stream, Illinois in the late 90’s I often took my lunch break on the campus of Wheaton College. I would sit on a bench on their front law, use their library for some research on various areas for my work. I would even eat lunch in the Wheaton cafeteria, (and yes, Wheaton College had a GREAT Food Service in their cafeteria). After lunch I would often browse in their bookstore.

I love graduations. I didn't used to. I hated sitting on the hard bleachers in a hot gym for two hours, or an outside venue that should have been indoors. After all, I was only there for about two-to-four seconds of my loved ones name to be announced and to see them walk across the stage. Then I was done. Can we go home now?

The first moment of one day in the world, in the place where every day begins.
There is a Chinese Proverb that says, one picture is worth a thousand words. As a storyteller, words and pictures are the tools of my trade. This photo may not look like much, but to me, it’s worth a LOT more than a thousand words! Since I took this photo, I have contemplated this story so many times.