Quality counts!  I learned this truth from my husband many years ago.  Since I grew up very poor, I did not pay much attention to “quality,” but rather, I concentrated upon “quantity.”   I always stretched my dollars as far as they could go.  It then became one of my husband’s early missions to teach me about how quality counts!

    The lesson I learned was that if you save and buy “quality” clothing, you will not find it wearing out as quickly as the more cheaply made items.  I learned the value of this advice and have been quite happy with the results.  I often receive compliments upon my clothing…only to reply that “this old thing is now about thirty years old!”  Many people can’t believe it.  I often smile as I sometimes wear the skirt I was wearing on the day my first grandchild, Justin, was born.  So, an added benefit to buying quality is that it can stir up pleasant memories when I wear it.

    I have learned the same lesson with purchasing furniture.  Of course, as young married people, we could not afford the “quality furnishings.”  However, if we had been very patient, we might have purchased a piece of fine furniture from time to time…gradually collecting a complete set of furnishings.

It is often difficult to make ourselves wait or save.

    These illustrations are a little easier to digest than judging the production of “quality work.”  It is probably true that in our days of little spare time, effort is not easily expended to produce quality.  We can be satisfied with “quantity” very easily.  So, why should our students be any different?  They have many activities and responsibilities that vie for their time just as we adults do.  So how can we get them to desire to produce quality in their work?

    Perhaps we should make an effort to expose them to quality books, art, and museum artifacts.

But exposure is not enough.  We must also share with them our respect for these things which cannot be duplicated.  But even more valuable would be to expose our children to people who are willing to share their own “quality” collections.  I believe it is in hearing the value, the emotional attachments, and the memories elicited as people share these things with us that cause the most interest to be aroused in other people.

    Many of the things I have accumulated over the years as an educator can be shared with my students as special belongings of “quality.”  It is a wonderful experience as I share them with new students each year.  Some of these quality items inspire my students to reach for new heights of accomplishments. I am thankful for that.  And always, sharing these quality works of art, writings, and other miscellaneous things, fond memories are brought back to me.  Thus, I am able to relive many moments of joy.  Oh yes, quality counts!     Kay