Every once in a while something or someone comes along that overwhelmingly reminds you you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be, doing exactly what you’re supposed to. This, from everything artist, Julia Gruver.
“Dear Jeff,
I must confess I have been putting off writing this letter for a while. As I sit here contemplating what words to put on the page, I am struggling to adequately articulate my feelings. For one who rarely runs out of things to say, I find myself stumbling to convey the thoughts of my heart. I am speechless. Why is it when I so desperately want to communicate, my mind seems to draw a blank? Scattered phrases come together, but my thoughts are incomplete and inadequate. This is my meager attempt to convey my indebtedness to God for placing you in my life.
How could we ever thank a teacher for the mark they’ve made on us? No words, though dripping with eloquence, could adequately convey the depth of our gratitude for their influence on our lives. How could we ever repay them for this priceless gift: giving of themselves to guide us toward becoming the best possible version of ourselves? Like a master craftsman, they see the beauty of a raw and unfinished piece and dedicate their time and energy into seeing it perfected. They carefully shape a part of the masterpiece we become. We are all walking galleries displaying the work of the teachers who are so indelibly written on our hearts.
On rare occasion, these master artisans move beyond the position of teacher and mentor and take on a new title: friend. This beautiful display is rarely made manifest for out of the small handful of truly exceptional teachers, only a choice few are willing to give the time, honesty and vulnerability it takes to attain friendship. I’m not sure at what instant you transformed from being my teacher to friend. Who would have guessed that a music teacher could have so much influence on your life? I remember starting out with you and being your student, but the memory becomes a bit foggier when I try to think about the moment I didn’t feel like a student. Perhaps it was the first time I talked to you the whole Lesson and you didn’t mind that we skipped all our music work. Perhaps it was the time you first shared part of your story with me. Perhaps it was the time you trusted me enough to watch your boys. I can’t quite put my finger on when it began, but I am so thankful and honored to have you as my friend.
There are so many life lessons I have learned from watching your interactions with those around you and hearing your story. It would be hard to list out everything I have seen, and we don’t have time to go into all the memories I could describe. Words can rarely give justice to expressions of the heart. However, I do want to share a few of the numerous things I so admire in you.
You have an amazing ability to empathize with others. You genuinely care about people and feel for/with them. People know that you are there for them, that you accept them as they are. Though I think people may often take advantage of this fact, I so admire this quality in you. It is probably also one of the things that make you such a great actor… you are able to hurt, love, care, feel deeply.
I have rarely found someone who is so gifted in the art of encouragement. Somehow you can always find an honest compliment for those around you. I have so much to learn from you in this area. You can hear a completely off-pitch song, all the while smiling at the student, and still authentically compliment their performance. I just sit there baffled at your ability to see the positive—the half-filled glass.
Listening is a skill few attain and even fewer master. You, sir, seem to have done both. You not only hear the words others speak, but you are engaged in the conversation. I think I can talk to you (and probably have at some point) about almost anything. It’s nice to be able to quit the act we seem to put on for so many others. I feel like I am able to be myself, to say something stupid, to communicate my heart—I am free to be me. As an artist, it seems I am used to being on the outside a bit, sort of an oddball if you will. Often people do not understand my thinking and sometimes my feelings are too much for some to handle. It is nice to feel like I fit, to have a place of belonging. I like that you make creative cool.
I admire your humility in teaching. As an actor, I’m not sure how you cut off enjoying being the center of attention. You are able to ham it up on stage but also direct all attention from yourself when teaching. I have much to learn from you in this as well. You genuinely desire for you students to succeed and want them to get all the glory. I tend to be much less selfless in my teaching. I don’t know how you continue so graciously with so little thanks from those you pour into. We students are so often a selfish, thankless bunch and yet you authentically care about us. My mind can’t quite wrap around that one.
Finally, I admire your sacrifice on behalf of those around you. You are not a starving artist for lack of job opportunities or talent. I think you fit the starving artist mold because you would probably starve yourself to get things done on behalf of others. I can’t believe how many times I have come in to you relentlessly working on anything and everything for your students. You seem to lose track of time in that room and acknowledge that you haven’t eaten all day. I think you would help others attain their dreams even if it meant sacrificing your own. I hope that your students will recognize this in you and remember you when they succeed. You were the one who saw the faint glimmer of light and enabled it to brilliantly shine. I hope the refined gems leaving your tutelage remember their days as diamonds in the rough.
Jeff, I am so blessed to have you in my life. To echo Paul, “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you.” So much of who I am today is because of your influence. I consider you my brother. Thank you for believing in me even in the times I didn’t believe in myself. Your support has instilled within me so much confidence. Thank you for allowing me to hear your story, grow to love your family and see you in so many different contexts. I am forever changed by your impact and indebted for your sacrifice. When I become an iconic rapper, you will not be forgotten.
Overwhelmed by His Grace,
Jules”
