The years have hastened by to the fall of her life. My visits to her home in that metropolitan area six hours away are not complete without me seeing her and her husband. I often reminded her if she could recall the name of that reader that I loved so well. I wanted a copy of it to pass on to my family.
The years have brought her broken bones and hip so that her sweetheart was afraid he might loose her. His despairing calls for encouragement came long distance. I reminded him I would pray. Recuperation has come and not dimmed her memories or mind.Birthdays I have shared with her soothed me and celebrated her life. I always hate to tell her good-bye as she cries when I leave.
A few weeks ago, the UPS man made his way to my little bungalow many hours away. It was a priority mailed box for me from her. Inside the box, I found a wrapped gift. Knowing it was not my birthday made me more excited. To my surprise, the torn off tissue revealed a copy of CHILDREN EVERYWHERE published by Laidlaw in the nineteen fourties. The faded copy of the old book brought me those warm feelings I had in childhood as I touched it and held it close to my heart.
My excitement brought tears and more joy as I phoned her. How can you thank a teacher who may have changed the whole course of one's life? Did she intentionally take me under her wing? Now even in old age, she had captured the joy that mentoring brings. Just as I have received, I have felt compelled to mentor as well. I may not always see the results of mentoring, but there will be growth. Giving my life away to others brings beautiful harmony for the soul, no matter the name.
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