On this somber day of September 11, it might help to reflect on moments of happiness that have occurred in your life. Nothing spectacular, just small things that have made you smile or have made you feel good for a few minutes, for a day, or maybe for even longer. One day last fall, I went for a walk after enduring several days of heavy rain. It was chilly so I put on sweats. The sun was bright so I wore sunglasses. I passed a mailman as he was walking up a driveway and I casually commented that it was nice that the sun had come out. He agreed and said that it was nice not to be delivering mail in the rain. As I continued on my way, the young man suddenly called out and asked me if I had been a substitute teacher at the local high school. I told him yes, in 1996 and then he told me that I had substituted for one of his classes (he graduated in 1997). I removed my sunglasses, stared at him, and then asked him how on earth he could possibly recognize me fifteen years later wearing sweats and sunglasses? I did not recognize this man’s face at first but when he told me his name I remembered him. But I was wearing sweats and sunglasses and no make-up! I always dressed professionally when I was a substitute and continued to do so when I was hired as a full-time teacher, which made this recognition even more baffling. We talked for a few more minutes and then I asked him if I had been a good substitute teacher. Without any hesitation he said, “the best” and then proceeded to explain that on that particular day he had been extremely stressed out. During the entire day, no one seemed to notice or to care, except me, and that made all the difference in the world to him. And he kept that in his heart all those years.
And so on this day of remembrance, I will say a prayer for my former students who lost loved ones at the World Trade Center and then I will take a few moments to celebrate other positive influences that I may have unknowingly had on the young lives who honored me so many years ago by having sat in my classroom. After all, isn’t this how life is supposed to work?
(c) 2012 Linda Stone Cohen All Rights Reserved
Remember that no amount of money can purchase grace, wisdom and humility. Until tomorrow…
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