I also think about Liviu Librescu. Professor Librescu was a holocaust survivor and understood the consequences of mindless hatred and the preciousness of life. Professor Librescu put himself between the deranged killer and his students so that they could survive, and they did. He did not.
Few of us will be called upon to do a "great thing" like Liviu Librescu did for his students. In sacrificing his life for others Liviu Librescu reminds us all of our own humanity and our obligation to one another.
All of us face challenges every day. Few of us meet them with the courage and compassion of Liviu Librescu. If he can do this "great thing" surely I can face my small challenges with a little more compassion, understanding and sacrifice than I usually do.
Who knows, perhaps I'll come across someone cut off from the rest of us and tell him about Liviu Librescu and that real sacrifice is far more powerful and enduring than retribution is. Perhaps you will and you will change the course of events and we will never know to thank you.
Thank you Liviu Librescu for reminding me of who I am.