Posted on: Oct 12, 2021 at 4:33 AM

I remember her so perfectly in my mind's eye (and ear!), even today. To be honest, there were several teachers I liked more and whose class I feared less. But she probably had the greatest impact on my life. She was Southern and opinionated and strong and she denanded I bring my A-game every day. She expected me to listen, comprehend, think, imagine, memorize, utize, prepare for every contingency. It was the first time I could not skate through. And the first time I could grasp a tangible future for myself as a Southern, opinionated, strong woman making an impact on the world while demanding the world bring its A-game every day. You know, not a day has passed in 53-odd years that I haven't said those magic words aloud: "The people keep-a comin', but the train done gone." Truer now than ever, Ms. S. 

Posted on: Oct 12, 2020 at 4:33 AM