2024 Lillian McDermott medal lecture: You only get one—My life pursuing excellence in physics education

This article is the text of a speech that I gave at the AAPT summer 2024 meeting when I received the Lillian McDermott Medal. This plenary speech is very dear to me; it was an opportunity for me to talk about my career and life and share what I've learned. Unfortunately, this will be my final opportunity to share some words with you all. I am gravely ill, as you will read below. I hope you enjoy these words. I have always loved words and ideas, so consider this article as a sonnet from me to you.