How to begin this post? Well it is kind of personal and introspective.
It begins many moons ago when I was in 5th grade.
Yes, 5th grade.
I had this young teacher who was British and not so long out of school. Her name then was Mrs. Gibson and I thought she was amazing. She introduced me to all sorts of things I have carried forward in my life, and encouraged my love of books and reading. That of course still exists today and my favorite books have traveled with me my whole life.
It was Mrs. Gibson and my mother who introduced me to an author whose books I still re-read today: Elizabeth Goudge. Mrs. Gibson read us Green Dolphin Street, which at the time was probably a little old for us, but it is also a favorite book/author of my mother’s so I think I have re-read this book easily a dozen times over the course of my life.
Mrs. Gibson was my teacher at St. Peter’s School at 4th and Pine Streets in the Society Hill section of Philadelphia where my family lived when I was a young girl. I wrote about St. Peter’s Church on this blog a year or so ago when they needed to do repairs. St. Peter’s was an amazing little grade school which still exists today. I had many positive experiences at that school and to this day still have friends from those years.
We eventually left Society Hill for the Main Line and Mrs. Gibson left the US and returned to the UK and became among other things a several times over published author and poet and continued to teach.
Lizzie (as I now call her) and I reconnected many, many years ago and stayed in touch via letter, e-mail, and Facebook. Now some might think it odd that I keep in touch with some of my teachers from grade school and high school, but truthfully I had some amazing teachers in my life and I just always liked them as people too.
Lizzie now Lizzie Ballagher and I sat down today for the first time in literally decades as she was in the US for a visit to friends and family. And it was a very special moment for me as she had not seen me in person (nor I her) since I was 11 years old. We had just stayed in touch throughout the years. I think we both got a little teary when we saw each other at first this morning.
We had a good gab and walked around downtown Wayne which was out middle ground of distance. I never knew until today that she was terrified when she first started to teach us – she was so young, we were so young.
They say life is about circles, and today I experienced that yet again. It proves to me the importance of formative years and good friendships. Some people shed a lot of people throughout their lives, I keep people. Yes, all the way back to grade school.
It is because of having known people like Lizzie that I am often so hyper critical of schools and school districts, as well as somewhat merciless in my commentary on teachers and coaches who cross unspeakable lines with students. I was truly blessed to have so many positive influences and it is such a cool experience to be able to visit with someone who watched you grow and whom you also watched grow. Of course the great irony here is when you are making these amazing connections when you are younger you take it for granted.
It is an amazing experience to carry forward positive influences like awesome teachers in your life, and I can’t help but wonder in today’s world how many kids are still able to do that? Do we still life in a world that allows these connections?
