Sister Mary Kremer, OP
It’s the Little Things ….
“Thank you.” “Thank you.” “Thank you.” I heard it repeatedly on Sunday afternoon at DU Fest in the Quad. I was passing out Community-Based Learning postcards inviting students to consider doing something for others like volunteering on campus to tutor students or serve as a Big Sister or Brother. I wasn’t passing out winning lottery tickets; I was asking people to consider giving service. Yet, the response was consistently, “Thank you.”
What was most amazing is that it was not one individual here or there who expressed appreciation; it was everyone. I heard it at least 50 times, maybe 70. In fact, I am quite sure that I heard it from every single person.
Although I am retired from the School of Education, the hospitality, respect, and appreciation for one another is what keeps me coming back to this campus. It’s like walking into a room for the first time and finding only friends. It’s the password in “pay it forward”.
It’s what makes Dominican home to me.
Fifty years ago the Dominican Sisters were raising money to put up a new building at Sinsinawa. Our leadership at that time suggested that we think in terms of little steps to achieve this impossible figure. She told us repeatedly, “Buy the yard, it’s hard; by the inch, it’s a cinch.” In baby steps, everyone participating, we topped our goal. This mantra has served me well ever since. I saw it again this past Sunday.
This is not one of the sisters engaged in our Dominican tradition of preaching. It is a little article expressing in a little way my appreciation for this most amazing Dominican University community.
What a great way to begin the academic year, absorbing “Thank Yous” from everyone.
Oh. and thank you for reading this.
mekremer@dom.edu