I brushed away a tear.

“I think he would have been proud of all of us.”

Driving home that night, I realized something else.

I had spent years waiting to be thanked by the people least willing to offer thanks.

Now a room full of near-strangers had appreciated work I genuinely enjoyed doing.

Recognition was wonderful.

But it was not what made the work worthwhile.

The deepest change was that I knew its value even before anyone spoke.