Sunday, June 9, 2013

My Dumbledore

          For the past seven months I have been rereading the Harry Potter series. My mom read the first book to us kids on vacation when I was eight years old (I think) and since then I have been a huge fan! I think J.K. Rowling is a complete genius and the philosophy behind the books is deep and needs to be analyzed. But more on that later. Today, I want to talk about the character in the books who had the deepest impact on Harry - Professor Dumbledore. Professor Dumbledore is known as the most powerful wizard of all time, but uses his vast knowledge for good. He is always caring, non-violent, and gives the most amazing, although sometime peculiar, advice. He is Harry's role model and mentor. Although in the last book we learn of his flaws, Dumbledore to me represents the love and goodness any person should strive for and I find myself jealous of Harry for having such a mentor.
          Then I realized that I do, indeed, have such a mentor. Her name is Judy Mullet. Judy was the professor of my Honors class first semester freshman year, but I did not get to know her until second semester when I ended up in her office crying. The middle of my freshman year was really hard for me as I had to deal with issues that had happened in high school that I had never dealt with. I was unsure of my college decision and felt desperately alone even though I was surrounded by friends. Judy saved me then. As I talked to her, and later a counselor, I was able to work through a lot of my problems and realize that EMU was exactly where I needed to be. Having a EMU faculty or staff person as a mentor was a requirement for the Honors program, so I asked Judy if she would be mine. She graciously agreed and we began meeting every other week.
         As I have journeyed through college, Judy has been been there every step of the way. We continued meeting every other week for the last three years with the exception of my semester in Europe. Bad days always were made better when I got to get off campus and talk with this amazing woman. Somehow, Judy was always able to help me see my life in perspective. She became a confidante and a trusted friend. Anytime a problem would come up for me, she would listen. Often she would give advice, but more importantly she would just listen. I found myself telling her more than I tell most of my friends. And during those times when I felt on top of the world, Judy would share in my joy. I will never forget the smile she would give me or her laugh as she wondered about my busy life.
         You see, when Judy listens to you, you feel like the most important person in the world. No matter how mundane your life or how insignificant your problems, she truly cares. She is such a busy person, but despite her busyness, I never felt like a bother to her. In fact, I believe that she enjoyed our time together just as much as I did. She was there for me my entire college career and I would not be the person I am today if I had never met her. Sometimes I wonder if I would have gotten through college at all without her. She is truly beautiful inside and out.
         Every once in a while Judy can be a bit eccentric, just like Dumbledore. Also like Dumbledore, she is absolutely brilliant. But most importantly she is like Dumbledore because she is full of pure goodness. I am so blessed to have her in my life. Judy, I just wanted to let you know how much our relationship has meant to me and I hope it continues throughout our lives!