Thursday, April 21, 2011

"R" is for Response...

A to Z Challenge...
ABC's of My Life~


...yes, I received a response from my former English teacher Mrs. Stoner who nurtured and tended to my inscriptions like that of a stained glass pane; the window to my fragile breakable soul.



You can only imagine the giddiness erupting inside upon opening the mail box and catching a glimpse of the recognizable handwriting; I was once more fifteen years of age. The quiet unassuming schoolgirl who with the hushed gestures lay the non-descript folder upon her desk with a silent prayer of acceptance and approval.


A day, or perhaps two or three would pass until the file was placed upon my school table as I felt the unpretentious embrace that only comforting language can deliver. Once again, I experienced that grip as I circumspectly opened the correspondence and scanned the language.


The communication has become committed to memory within a twelve hour span as the love of my writing has been validated and confirmed. I proceed forward with a bounce in my gait and a beacon in my heart as the past is tethered to the present.


By Dr. Carl Sagan

32 comments:

Pellie / Penny said...

Getting a real letter is always a great occasion and getting one from someone you hoped would respond is even better.
Hugs,
Penny

Sassafras and Winterberry said...

Isn't it wonderful that when we are writers, we often can look back on a special teacher who nurtured that in us? I wasn't writing fiction back then, but I do think of my high school English teacher who taught me to write tightly! That is a lovely letter from your teacher...
Blessings,
Courtney

Out on the prairie said...

What a lovely share. I often think about those in my past, but many aren't with us anymore.When I first started teaching I felt i would make that difference with every student,only to realize the charm would only touch a few.Those that it did carried that feeling for the rest of their lives.One of my favorites retired as a superintendent.

Rae said...

Are there teachers out there today like that? I have some special ones from my youth that were both encouraging and inspirational. what a gift!

Nancy said...

How nice for you two to reunite after so many years. She sounds like a very special lady. :)

Rita said...

What a thrill that must have been! You are the one who had the courage to write to her and that was brave of you. So happy for you!
Rita

Robyn Campbell said...

That is wonderful. I can't even imagine how that felt for you to receive that letter. She must be an extraordinary person. I loved reading about your giddiness.

BTW, it took guts to write your letter. You rock! I would be afraid of a NO response.

Old Kitty said...

It's a lovely card and look at the writing! Legible and disciplined and very pretty!!

Thanks for sharing! Take care
x

karen said...

What lovely penmanship. Nice that you showed appreciation....most times people only like to grumble about their teachers. There are so many good ones out there that could use some kind words. It was really nice of you to contact her.

Bish Denham said...

Wonderful. It's nice that you were able to tell her how important she was.

TexWisGirl said...

how sweet! hang on to that 15 yr old's glee!

Sylvia K said...

That's wonderful!! Not many teachers like that unfortunately -- particularly today. And a REAL letter! That's delightful! Do hang on to that young girls glee! Have a great day!

Sylvia

Dawn said...

What a wonderful treasure!!!!
And thee is nothing quite like a REAL LIVE LETTER!!!

T. Powell Coltrin said...

Your letter is precious and I can see how much it means.

Very sweet post--inspiring.

Donnie said...

I think you must have touched her as much as she encouraged you. The true gift of a teacher.

Talli Roland said...

Oh, how lovely! First of all, how nice that you took the time to write to her and then for her to write you back!

Connie said...

Aw...how fantastic! What a thrill! :-)

Karen Thomason/Gordon Setter Crossing said...

What a wonderful teacher...still teaching!

Tiggeriffic said...

Have many fond memories of the teachers I had almost 60 years ago.. Writing letters is a lost art.. I write letters on occasion and it's awesome to receive a hand written letter. I'll bet you were overjoyed when you opened this letter. Teachers have a special place in our hearts. Especially the ones we remember.
Have a Tiggeriffic day~! Ta ta for now from Iowa:)

Brian's Home Blog said...

That is so cool! I'm sure there were smiles on both ends!

Ella said...

So beautiful and lovely~ You reminded me of treasured notes, from my teachers. Their words n' kindness that opened a special place in my heart!
Thanks for sharing this wonderful sentiment~

Linda K. said...

I recognize the hand writing too!! I always liked Mrs. Stoner.. I wasn't as close as you,but English was always my favorite subject & she was a great bridge from junior high to high school..Hope she is well, and soo happy you found her!!

Wanda's Wings said...

That is truly wonderful. Enjoy, enjoy!

SueH said...

What a heart-warming post! I remember one teacher who always took time to talk to me about my writing - he said it was obvious I was an avid reader from the vocabulary and ideas I was able to incorporate into my stories.

Positive input like that has a lasting effect!

(Arrived here via the 'surprise me' button on the A-Z challenge - I'll be following you, now!

SueH I refuse to go quietly!

Ginny Hartzler said...

What a thing to treasure, Tracy!!! Not many people get to have contact with their teachers this long after going to school, I think you are both blessed by this communication. I still have many memories of my elementary eachers, both good, not so good, and wonderful. But I am so old now that they are probably all dead. I would love to know what happened to the rest of thier lives and if any rmemebered me.

LV said...

This is wonderful that she is keeping in touch. Not many care to do that anymore. I love getting my mail just to see if someone thought of me today.

Author Joshua Hoyt said...

This is really neat. It is so nice to have others around to inspire and guide us.

Unknown said...

As a retired teacher I often wonder about the many seeds I planted throughout my life. I pray that many of they took root and produced secure individuals who reached out and grabbed all that life has to offer,
kt

Jules said...

Wow, that is an awesome letter to receive! I'll bet bounce does not begin to describe it. :)

I see a new button up there :D
Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow

Rachael Harrie said...

That's so sweet, thanks for sharing :) Great Challenge entry!

Hugs,

Rach

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Oh how wonderful, Tracy... I'm sure that getting that letter had to be the ultimate of ultimates for you... I miss the days of 'snail mail'.... I remember --before my sweet mother died---I would sit down every Thursday and write her a letter.. She kept those letters --and after she died, I got them back....SO SPECIAL

I know that Mrs. Stoner is someone who is very special to you --and with her encouragement, you can continue to follow your dreams...


Happy Easter.
Hugs,
Betsy

Teresa Evangeline said...

How wonderful that you were able to tell her how important she was to you, and that she responded with such kindness, and yes, beautiful penmanship. Do they still teach that? I remember the workbooks still, page after page of practice lines.