There was a small whiteboard on our fridge in Newcastle where we would write notes or reminders for the day.
“You’ve got mail to pick up.”
“I left your laundry on the couch.”
“Don’t forget PD Kit.”
Eventually it was just blank for some time, but one day it read,
“It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop.” – Confucius
Dmitri came into the kitchen and I asked him who wrote that. He said something along the lines of, “You know, this thing’s been blank for a while. It’d be nice to have something to get us through a full day of lectures and studying. I’ll write something every now and again to keep us going. It’s a pretty tough thing we’re in but we’ve got to just stay positive and motivated. That’s the way to live.”
Just like that whiteboard, I have no doubt Dmitri left his mark on everyone he came across and truly made a positive difference in their lives, he definitely did in mine.