| Author | Message | ||
     Ferrisbuellersdayoff |
My grandmother, was a teacher. And in her last years as a paid educator, and I say that because after her retirement she still kept me on my toes, she worked at a detention center for boys. Working construction I meet alot of people and many of which weren't the kind of people that made the right decisions in life. I met a couple laborers today, and after a while my last name was brought up and they said almost in unison "Rucker? Your last name is Rucker?" Turns out they were both sent to the detention center where my grandmother was teaching. Well they wanted to know how she was, and I had to tell them that unfortunately she passed away 3 years ago this coming summer. They expressed their condolances and told me about what she was like at the detention center. And one of them was talking to me as we worked on ripping the guts out of a dorm room. he didnt verbally sob but as he was talking his eyes were red and tearfilled. He told me that his family had basically given up on him and that my grandmother was the reason he recieved an actual highschool diploma. The other one went on to say that she was the toughest instructor there. and that she would slam her cane down flat on the desk like a gun shot and stare them all down like she was going to kill anyone who spoke. "That woman tougher than trying to draw a circle on an Etch-A-Sketch with only one knob". I fought the knot in my throat back with the laughter caused by that line. We talked about what it was like growing up with her, and they told me they knew from my dilect that she kept me in line. And they said they wished they had a grandmother like that. I've never seen admiration like that, I can only hope to leave an impact on people as great as she did. | ||
| Ulywife |
Very cool story. Thanks for sharing. Wonder where these guys would have been had she not touched their lives. | ||
| Thumper74 |
Who cares? It's where they aren't that counts. | ||
| Oldog |
Thanks for sharing that Great story! | ||
| Ulywife |
Thumper - I didn't mean for it to come off as a negative. Just thinking how one person can make a difference in someone's life. Obviously this lady had a great impact on her students. | ||
| Thumper74 |
It is pretty amazing. I had one teacher do it for me... | ||
| Bluzm2 |
Son, that's what's called a Legacy. It what we all hope to leave behind when we leave this big blue ball called earth. I'm sure your Grandmother heard things like that from some of her former students before she died. She sounds like the type of person that would have thanked them and went on with her business. No nonsense, no bravado just humble and keep moving. You have to be sure to share this story with the rest of your family, they will be proud too. I learned a while back that you NEVER know what kind of an impact you will have on people. Even the simplest conversation can have a profound impact on people, especially young kids and teens. It is very special when you have an unknown (you don't recognize them) young adult approach you and say thank you. Even more special when you found out you made an impact in their lives doing something you barely remember. Maybe it was from being a coach or helping a neighbor kid and a buddy fix a bicycle or giving a friend of one of your own kids a lift somewhere. You just never know. Choose your words carefully. Your Grandma sounds like a person I'd like to have meet, it also sounds like her grandson may be cut from the same bolt. Brad |
