Impressions

A few weeks ago The Janesville Gazette has printed a simple article about the Ragnar Relay Race from Madison to Chicago. Our team captain was interviewed and her photo was printed in the paper. She had mentioned her teammates, including me! I was pretty excited :) Anyway, That day I had to work at Woodman's. I was checking for the first half of my shift.

My 6th grade math teacher Mr. Mitchell came through my line. I see him a couple times a month, but never really said anything to him. I wasn't sure he even remembered me. Anyway, as he handed me his check he asked "Did I see your name in the paper? You're runnin' that race?" I  was completely shocked. First, that he recognized me, and second that he put the name to my face. After all those years, and all those students that he had taught, my name, and my face stood out to him. I'm not a teacher, but sometimes I have a hard time remembering people I had gone to school with. Heck, I can't even remember half of my teachers. Haha!

What kind of impression had I made on this person that he remembered me after so many years? Then I really got to thinking....

Here are the definitions of impression:

im·pres·sion   /ɪmˈprɛʃən/ Show Spelled[im-presh-uhn] Show IPA

noun

1. a strong effect produced on the intellect, feelings, conscience, etc.

2. the first and immediate effect of an experience or perception upon the mind; sensation.

3. the effect produced by an agency or influence.

4. a notion, remembrance, belief, etc., often of a vague or indistinct nature: He had a general impression of lights, voices, and the clinking of silver.

5. a mark, indentation, figure, etc., produced by pressure.

When I think of the word impression I usually think of first impressions. The first time I meet with someone. Almost like judging them, but it's more their vibes. How they seem to be.

Now I see it differently. An impression is the way you affect someone and their life. The way you affect how someone feels, thinks, acts. A mark.... on the heart.

Usually I don't get sappy like this but I truly believe there are people in my life that have touched my heart. I never want to forget them, the way they make me think or feel, and the way they inspire me. I'm doing my best to keep the people that leave the greatest impressions around.

Life isn't like that though. It seems almost impossible to keep the people you want in your life for a long time. Life is demanding, life is busy, and these days you'd be lucky to keep a good friendship.

So, for my 6th grade Math teacher to remember my name and my face and put it together all at once is crazy to me. I keep thinking.... "What kind of impression did I make? Why does he remember ME?" We make impressions and we don't even realize how strong they are. We don't realize the affect we have on other people sometimes. I think it's because we are always in our own little world.... worrying about us and our own lives that we don't stop and look. We are in this together.... We'd be pretty bored by ourselves. Life isn't about the things you do for yourself, it's about relationships you build while doing what you love. Pay attention to the impressions you make, how you affect people, and how people affect you. Let them know they mean something to you.