You know, I hear they cancelled Latin.

I do like a lot of Latin, though.

It's an interesting language with lots of interesting words and phrases.

But we're not a language class.

We're here to...

[Covers mic.]

What are we here to do, again?

People just come here to read the musings?

No, no, that can't be right.

[Uncovers mic.]

We are here to talk about grace.

About giving it, receiving it, and how it took me ages to understand its power.

For many decades, I never gave it.

I was cold.

Unforgiving.

Ungraceful.

And it worked both ways.

I never gave myself any grace.

Nor did I give it to others.

Unless I didn't care about you. Then you're just invisible.

Ain't that something?

Not giving you grace meant I cared.

Back then.

I'm changed now, right?

Right??

Bah.

Now, respect I did give.

I was raised to respect.

"You're supposed to be my lab partner."

"I am!"

"No, you're not. You're disloyal."

And it's something I did give and did expect.

And if I didn't receive it, well, then there might be a problem.

But I've learned, as I approach these golden years, to extend grace in the face of disrespect.

At least, I know it on paper.

I'm not batting 1.000 here on the extend grace in the face of disrespect stat line.

But we all gotta start somewhere.

Grace falls from the sky like manna from Heaven.

I've lived many ways.

No grace.

Grace.

Everything in between.

Living on grace is a good way to be.

Respectfully,

𖤂