Finding
the roses.
This past year, I took a step sideways to let my staff handle more of the day-to-day functions of the school. Fortunately for me the MASW team are remarkable people whose goal isn’t to enrich their own lives but to enrich the lives of others. Our staff works hard each day to “plus” the experience of both instructors and students. They are amazing and I thank God they are in my life!
As we headed into our 2026 season, my plan was to kick back, relax, let the crew handle everything and for me to get a part-time job as a greeter at Walmart. But when I found out my skill set didn’t qualify me for that job, I came back to my staff and asked if they could find something simple for me to do at the school. They all agreed that I should concentrate on teaching, develop the curriculum, mill material for workshops, organize our storage areas, prospect for new instructors, build the schedule for the summer of 2027, write the entire brochure, and, in my spare time, enjoy an early retirement. Because this slow-paced workload left me with so much free time, I was able to pause and view the school through a different lens.
On a nonspecific night, as Susie and I walked through the shop, I thought about something Mom used to tell me when I was a kid: “Look at the rose in the vase and not the dust on the table.” For some reason, I heard her say it again during our walk that evening. I stopped, took Susie by the hand, and said, “Look at the incredible blessing we have been given.” In that instant, my ears were opened to the thousands of people who have told me over the years what an incredible place this is and how it has changed their lives. I’ve heard it over and over again, but I never understood until that moment. Although the school was quiet, their words rang loud and clear. My mother was right; I had never taken time to “look at the rose.” I had always concentrated on the dust.
I did try to carve out some time this past summer to see what it is like to spend a day as an MASW student and even took a class or two, but all those jobs my staff found for me to do kept getting in the way of more class time. It seemed the work I did get done became a distraction from the work that needed to be done. But for a brief moment, on one very special night, I finally felt what others feel while they are here. I was able to see the extraordinary fruits of our hard work. This is an amazing place. I also realized that it didn’t happen because of Susie’s and my efforts alone. It happened because of the efforts of remarkable instructors, extraordinary students, and our brilliant staff, who together create an environment unlike any other.
MASW isn’t just a craft school; it’s a place where spirits are lifted, friendships are made, opportunities become reality, and lives are changed forever. There is always more to learn, more to create, and more to come. MASW is a craft program full of momentum, and it’s fun to finally take a step back and watch it happen without being involved in every decision. I can’t say that I no longer live in hyperdrive, but I can say that God has blessed our program in the past, blesses it today, and will continue to bless it in the future. And for one moment, He gave me ears to understand the incredibly kind words from our students and faculty and eyes to see the rose.
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