A Fly on the Wall
Viewing comments for Chapter 18 "On...People Who Improve Us"A journal musings and assessments about situations
24 total reviews
Comment from WalkerMan
This is a splendidly heartwarming tribute to your ferociously loving fifth grade teacher who graciously attended your important performances, your wedding, and your own students' recitals. Those close to her at the time of her passing surely treasured your singing at her funeral service.
I was amused by the Rosh Hashannah story. At least he was trying to show he cared, though he did not know the right time of year.
Your expression of gratitude to her during each of your students' recitals that she attended proves how effective she was in shaping your own personality.
My favorite paragraph is the last, as it summarizes her loving influence:
She changed me forever, this beloved educator. She left me so much better than she found me. A great teacher will do that. So, it's the least I can do to promise us both that I'll keep passing her magic along to all the students who will be gracing MY life from here on in.
Her cherished memory lives on in YOU, as your memory will in your own students ("Remembrance unto Life"); and now the story will live on in your readers too. Superb.
reply by the author on 25-Jul-2022
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This is a splendidly heartwarming tribute to your ferociously loving fifth grade teacher who graciously attended your important performances, your wedding, and your own students' recitals. Those close to her at the time of her passing surely treasured your singing at her funeral service.
I was amused by the Rosh Hashannah story. At least he was trying to show he cared, though he did not know the right time of year.
Your expression of gratitude to her during each of your students' recitals that she attended proves how effective she was in shaping your own personality.
My favorite paragraph is the last, as it summarizes her loving influence:
She changed me forever, this beloved educator. She left me so much better than she found me. A great teacher will do that. So, it's the least I can do to promise us both that I'll keep passing her magic along to all the students who will be gracing MY life from here on in.
Her cherished memory lives on in YOU, as your memory will in your own students ("Remembrance unto Life"); and now the story will live on in your readers too. Superb.
Comment Written 24-Jul-2022
reply by the author on 25-Jul-2022
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You totally, totally get it, Walker Man. Thank you for this loving review. xo
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You are most Welcome, Rachelle. I had good teachers all the way through school in every grade and subject, but no one at the love level of your fifth grade teacher. You were truly blessed. By maintaining contact with her the way you did, you became a blessing for her in return.
Not being able to say goodbye to her must have been especially hard on you, as I'm sure you had things you would have said, given the chance.
Here is a song I wrote and set to music in 1970, when I thought I might be drafted and sent to Vietnam (which fortunately did not occur). It is the essence of what I would have said to my wife and daughters before leaving, possibly never to return. I posted it here at FS to offer some solace to members who had recently lost someone dear, as the words the departed person might have said before passing. Think of it as what your dear teacher might have said to you as you held her hand on her last day. The post title is "Time to Let Go" and the song is in it:
https://www.fanstory.com/displaystory.jsp?hd=1&id=879219
(Reviewing is optional, though your comments are welcome.)
I've never had voice training, but I can still sing the song from memory. I have recited it at several funerals, including my father's, my wife's, and my mother's. I have written other songs, but this one will always be my last. -- Mike
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Wow; that's beautiful. Very, very touching.
Thankfully, I was in touch with my teacher until the end. She knew, without question, how very much I loved her.
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Thank you. I'm glad you like it.
That kind of connection is rare, so I'm glad you had that with her.
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Very much.
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:)) If you like my songs, I may revive a lively children's song that I wrote in 1997 and posted here in 2017. It's about rain, which we could benefit from to reduce drought and excessively hot days. It came to me while driving home through farmland on a Friday night, and by morning I had the lyrics complete. I can hear the tune in my head, but never put the music on paper.
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I'd love to have you share it!!
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Thank you for your enthusiasm. I'm in the midst of a computer issue right now, but I'll revive the post as soon as I have time. :))
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No rush.
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:))
Comment from lyenochka
Wish you lived closer so that I could take voice from you! You sound like a marvelous teacher and you give credit to your beloved fifth-grade teacher. What an admirable thing to exude "ferocious love." And that she encouraged you even outside of class, is a beautiful thing. I loved "My ruptured heart has been coursing puddles of sorrow up through my eyes" over the "crying my eyes out" cliche. Beautifully told!
reply by the author on 24-Jul-2022
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Wish you lived closer so that I could take voice from you! You sound like a marvelous teacher and you give credit to your beloved fifth-grade teacher. What an admirable thing to exude "ferocious love." And that she encouraged you even outside of class, is a beautiful thing. I loved "My ruptured heart has been coursing puddles of sorrow up through my eyes" over the "crying my eyes out" cliche. Beautifully told!
Comment Written 24-Jul-2022
reply by the author on 24-Jul-2022
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Thank you, sweet Helen. You know how I love it when reviewers provide specific examples of what they like. Plus, you're always so gracious and generous. Thank you for the extra star. (I wish we lived closer to each other, too, for lots of reasons, including voice lesson time!!) xoxo
Comment from Carol Hillebrenner
Wow, you are a busy lady with 70 students. This was a wonderful tribute to your teacher, who sounds like a very special person. It is such a special thing that you kept in touch with her for so long.
reply by the author on 24-Jul-2022
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Wow, you are a busy lady with 70 students. This was a wonderful tribute to your teacher, who sounds like a very special person. It is such a special thing that you kept in touch with her for so long.
Comment Written 24-Jul-2022
reply by the author on 24-Jul-2022
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It was one of my most treasured relationships throughout my life. I still feel her presence as I teach. Thank you for this extremely nice review. xo
Comment from Carol Clark2
Thanks for sharing this story of the impact of your fifth-grade teacher. How wonderful that you were able to keep in touch with her for so many years. I'm glad you were able to hold it together while you sang; performing at a funeral is so tough. Blessings. Carol
reply by the author on 24-Jul-2022
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Thanks for sharing this story of the impact of your fifth-grade teacher. How wonderful that you were able to keep in touch with her for so many years. I'm glad you were able to hold it together while you sang; performing at a funeral is so tough. Blessings. Carol
Comment Written 24-Jul-2022
reply by the author on 24-Jul-2022
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I just reminded myself that it wasn't about me. I wanted to make it perfect for her. I certainly wasn't the only person there who adored her, so I compartmentalized my sorrow.
This is such a nice review; thank you. xo
Comment from BethShelby
This is really a beautiful tribute you have written about your teacher. Some teachers can make an amazing different in the life of a child. I had a few teachers that really mattered in life. It sounds like this lady was very special.
reply by the author on 24-Jul-2022
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This is really a beautiful tribute you have written about your teacher. Some teachers can make an amazing different in the life of a child. I had a few teachers that really mattered in life. It sounds like this lady was very special.
Comment Written 24-Jul-2022
reply by the author on 24-Jul-2022
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Yes. she was my perfect match. Thanks for your lovely review, BethShelby.
Comment from Ulla
Hi Rachelle, this is such a lovely tribute to your former teacher who meant so much to you and changed your life. I couldn't agree more. I had a teacher who inspired me so much
I loved your essay. Thanks so much for sharing. I had to smile about Rosh Hashannah. Ulla:)))
reply by the author on 24-Jul-2022
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Hi Rachelle, this is such a lovely tribute to your former teacher who meant so much to you and changed your life. I couldn't agree more. I had a teacher who inspired me so much
I loved your essay. Thanks so much for sharing. I had to smile about Rosh Hashannah. Ulla:)))
Comment Written 24-Jul-2022
reply by the author on 24-Jul-2022
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I'm loving hearing all these stories from reviewers about teachers who have impacted their lives. It can truly make ALL the difference in a person's life. Thanks for this nice review...and for the comment about the Rosh Hashannah part! xo
Comment from Gunner Lil
Excellent story of growing up and keeping the tools of life alive in you and giving to others with your teaching. Story was fast paced and an easy read. This reader was not bored by events. Your 5th grade teacher was dynamic.
I've had many good teachers, in school, military and the business world. But none like yours.
Thank you.
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
reply by the author on 24-Jul-2022
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Excellent story of growing up and keeping the tools of life alive in you and giving to others with your teaching. Story was fast paced and an easy read. This reader was not bored by events. Your 5th grade teacher was dynamic.
I've had many good teachers, in school, military and the business world. But none like yours.
Thank you.
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 24-Jul-2022
reply by the author on 24-Jul-2022
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These were such nice words to read, Gunner Lil. Thank you for them all.
Comment from Debbie Pope
They should have asked you to deliver the eulogy at your teacher's funeral. This chapter is such a nice testament to her life. I am sure that she loved every student, but I think she had you pegged as special. And, you needed someone who recognized your talents. Sometimes parents don't do that.
This chapter is entertaining and thought provoking. I enjoyed every word.
reply by the author on 24-Jul-2022
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They should have asked you to deliver the eulogy at your teacher's funeral. This chapter is such a nice testament to her life. I am sure that she loved every student, but I think she had you pegged as special. And, you needed someone who recognized your talents. Sometimes parents don't do that.
This chapter is entertaining and thought provoking. I enjoyed every word.
Comment Written 24-Jul-2022
reply by the author on 24-Jul-2022
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Thank you, Debbie, for your sweet and supportive review, as well as the extra star. I so appreciate how encouraging you always are to me. xo
Comment from Tom Horonzy
Insightful because I learned more of you than her. I was never inspired by any teacher until one of my daughter's asked me to read my writings to her creative writing class. She had me back each semester for four years. Oh, and there was an English professor that took a shine to how I wrote. She truly spurred me to write more.
reply by the author on 24-Jul-2022
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Insightful because I learned more of you than her. I was never inspired by any teacher until one of my daughter's asked me to read my writings to her creative writing class. She had me back each semester for four years. Oh, and there was an English professor that took a shine to how I wrote. She truly spurred me to write more.
Comment Written 24-Jul-2022
reply by the author on 24-Jul-2022
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And I'm glad she did, because I, too, like reading your creations!
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aah. That was nice.
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Thanks
Comment from Jesse James Doty
This is well done! I am so much respect for teachers, especially music teachers I can hardly tell you how much respect I have.
My vocal coaches have meant the world to me!
My first one, Mrs. Mac. we called her and she knew me better than I knew myself! She taught me lessons of life along with singing and later she taught me piano lessons which helped me immediately become the songwriter I lived to be proud of. I later wrote poetry for fan story as well as prose but it all began with Mrs. Mac! Later, I had several vocal coaches who helped me gain my strength in my self-image and presence. Yet it all started with a teenager who was locked into wanting to be a rock singer and came to realize that there is so much more than rock music in the world of music.
Thank you for this well-presented essay on how one teacher made all the difference in your life!
Jesse
reply by the author on 24-Jul-2022
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This is well done! I am so much respect for teachers, especially music teachers I can hardly tell you how much respect I have.
My vocal coaches have meant the world to me!
My first one, Mrs. Mac. we called her and she knew me better than I knew myself! She taught me lessons of life along with singing and later she taught me piano lessons which helped me immediately become the songwriter I lived to be proud of. I later wrote poetry for fan story as well as prose but it all began with Mrs. Mac! Later, I had several vocal coaches who helped me gain my strength in my self-image and presence. Yet it all started with a teenager who was locked into wanting to be a rock singer and came to realize that there is so much more than rock music in the world of music.
Thank you for this well-presented essay on how one teacher made all the difference in your life!
Jesse
Comment Written 24-Jul-2022
reply by the author on 24-Jul-2022
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I love hearing stories like yours. I'm so glad you had these teachers in your life. Thank you for sharing these memories and feelings with me. Very much appreciated. xo
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I am glad myself!
Jesse