Remembering!

I have been thinking about things that mean a
lot to me as a teacher. Things students
have given me or said to me. Not long ago,
a fellow teacher was at Wal-Mart and she said
a young man ran up to her to say ‘hello’. He
asked about me. He told her to tell me he was
in high school and ‘he was makin’ it and had plans to graduate.
My friend said…he repeated 3 times for her to remember
to tell you that he was still in school.

It meant a lot to me. She described the boy and his
mother. Mother was fat, poorly dressed, old. Boy
had black sort of greasy hair and was tall and skinny.
But, for the life of me, I could not remember him.
He is one of my jewels. The ones from whom I received
little gifts with joy.

It has always been my motto to show respect to the poor,
down-trodden, shabby dressed parents. The folks wearing
suits, ties and fancy dresses demand my respect and
they do get it, but I show respect to the old grandpa
who comes to my school trying to raise a grandson
perhaps dumped on his door. He may be driving a beat up
van, have no teeth, and dirty clothes. I always try to give
their little children extra TLC.

I still wish I could remember that black haired boy. The best
gift to a teacher is to see those she gave encouragement
and support—succeed!