Leaving a mark

I saw the movie "Freedom Writers" last night. It really touched me on so many different levels.

As a student in high school, I was lucky to have many wonderful teachers. One especially stands out, John Robb. John taught me so many things about life including the art of the argument, a love for literature, noticing the small things in life and following your passions.

John was instrumental in my growing up. He was the director for our community theater of which I was a member. John had a vision and passion for the theater that could be viewed as some by overwhelming. He was hard-working, driven, a perfectionist and critical. Nothing was good until he said it was good. The song would be sung over and over until he approved. The scene would be run again and again until he approved.

He was able to take simple people and mold them into being larger than life. He made us actors, painters and entertainers. John gave us an opportunity to become something we didn't even know we wanted to become.

John pushed me, angered me, and expected more of me than anyone else in my life. He also encouraged me to look beyond my own expectations of myself. When I though I couldn't, he told me I would. When I cried, he told me to use it for motivation. He taught me that life is full of small things, small moments and that these moments are the essence of what makes us great.

John left an indelible mark on my life. No one has made a movie about John Robb. No one has written a book about his work. But, I do know for certain, his mark, his passion, his vision is one that I carry with me everywhere I go.

What mark will I leave?