Feeling inspired by the past
I had the pleasure of going to lunch today with two women who I taught 15 years ago. Both had gone to college and chosen a career, but then decided to return to school to become teachers. They sent me an e-mail and asked me if I would meet them for lunch. I thought they wanted to show me who they became and ask me about teaching .
They told me about their students and their personal lives. I made them laugh as I kept closing my eyes when they spoke because I could still picture their sweet adolescent faces. If I passed either of them on the street, I wouldn’t know them as they had become two beautiful women. I asked them what they remembered about school. Each woman told me things I had said to them. They recanted stories about the year they were in my class. They reminded me of some funny stories. As we were having coffee, one of my former students turned to me and said, “You inspired us to be teachers. You always seemed so happy.” Wow. I stared at the two women and took a picture in my mind of them and that moment.
After lunch, I walked home from the restaurant and my eyes kept watering up. I was so touched by their kind words. I feel lucky to have known them and I’m so grateful they contacted me so many years later. When I got home, I looked at my face. My soul feels so young and alive, but seeing my students as grown women made me feel like I should be feeling older.
Hugs,
marlene
Topics: Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
September 3rd, 2010 at 11:04 pm
They say teaching is a very rewarding profession, and I can tell by your post, you now know that firsthand. It must be very gratifying to know that you have influenced these women – and perhaps many others – in a positive way.