My Day Is A Little Dimmer Today . . . by Vivian S. Bedoya

My day is a little dimmer today... A part of my life has died an untimely death... Paul Violi has always been a presence in my life, silently looking over my shoulder as I write my blogs, stories or poems, reminding me of what he taught me, encouraging me now as he did when I was his student at NYU's School Of Continuing Education... I'd like to share this letter, which I actually mailed to him. It says just about everything I feel for this great man who touched so many people and of his influence on my life, then and always... My deepest condolences to his family and to all who loved him…

April 15, 2002

Paul Violi
NYU SCPS Mcghee Liberal Arts Programs
50 West 4th Street
New York NY 10012-1165

Dear Professor,

I really enjoyed your poetry reading on Sunday, just as I always enjoyed your classes. You were my favorite professor at NYU and one that I remember fondly. I appreciated the way you always gave a little extra in your classes, teaching us not only literature and writing but giving us a taste of philosophy, art, critical thinking and many other subjects. It was this glimpse into the things I didn’t know that motivated me to look further and I always went home and researched the things you talked about. As a result, I learned much more than what was in the syllabus and I thank you for that. Even now, the Violi influence is felt in our home: when my daughter started college this fall, I ordered her a copy of the Harbrace College Handbook because I couldn’t part with the one on my bookshelf. Most of all, it was your encouragement that helped me rediscover a love of writing and of literature that I had lost through years of neglect. In short, you opened the door to a wonderful world of words and meaning and I treasure that gift always.

Sincerely,

Vivian S. Bedoya