The Value of One

When I was in graduate school, Dr. Jimmie Dans was the head of the speech-language pathology program and the professor of several of my classes. She (yes, Jimmie was a girl, but don't worry we called her Clarice for short... well, actually we called her Dr. Dans, but only after building up the courage to approach her) was known for two things: (1) teaching the hard courses and (2) weeding out students during their first year of graduate school.

Let's just say, Dr. Dans did not disappoint our class the first year of our graduate program.  She nearly cut us in half and sent the rest of us shaking in our sneakers to the next assignment(s). It still causes me a little anxiety just writing about it.  Unfortunately, at the end of our first year of graduate school, Dr. Dans decided to retire.  I say "unfortunately" because we were a little bummed the class after us wasn't going to get the full appreciation of what we had just survived endured. Either way, it was time to pay our respects and present her with a well-deserved card and gift from all of us (aka "her last class").

While signing her card, I decided to end my words of encouragement and signature with a bible verse. That sounds pretty appropriate and thoughtful, right?  There was only one small problem... I accidentally left off the one of my sixteen and wrote Proverbs 6:9 instead of Proverbs 16:9. I knew as soon as I handed the card to the next person I had made a mistake; however, I didn't think too much about it because I thought I could pretty much close my eyes and pick a verse in the bible and it still be okay- maybe not applicable to the situation at hand, but 'okay' nonetheless.  I'll let you be the judge.

Here's the verse I meant to reference:
"In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps." Proverbs 16:9

Here's the verse I accidentally referenced:
"How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep?" Proverbs 6:9

Yep, I did that. I wrote that in somebody's retirement card.  

Here's my class (minus Christina??!!) on our last day as graduate students!

All I can say is thank goodness it was her retirement party and not a celebration of her deciding to break the longest record for teaching.  If that were the case, I may not have made it out of her next class alive!

Lesson learned.
Bk

Please Note: This post was written purely for entertainment purposes. I mean, everything is pretty much true that I wrote; however, I have nothing but respect for this amazing woman.  She did great things for our program and served my alma mater well. Thank you for giving me shingles all of your hard work, Dr. Dans! We love you!