For Barbara Brown...

In every one of our lives, we have a handful of teachers who come in and truly shape the people we become.  In this area, if few others, I've been overwhelmingly blessed.  All through my academic career, I've had exceptional educators point me down the path, open up new doors and expose me to things that I had never considered before.  I carry each of them with me in everything I do, in everything that I am.  They are responsible for many of the best parts of me.

I've attempted, as I've gotten older, to find them and offer what thanks I'm able, though it can never truly be enough, for all they've done for me.  About a year and a half ago, I was able to do so for my twelfth grade English teacher, Mrs. Brown. 

She came to see me when I was teaching in the same halls where I'd once been a student.  She had moved into the library and, when she heard that I was subbing in the department, she came to see me.  We hugged, talked and caught up and I made sure to thank her as the bell rang and the students began to file into my room.  I found out this morning that she passed away last night.

So, for her, I want to say these things, in the hope that, somehow, somewhere, she'll read them.  After my accident, when I was confined to a wheelchair, I spent my lunches in her room, talking with her about books, school...everything.  She never talked down to me or treated me as though the things I had to say were unimportant, though I'm sure that many of them were.  I'm not sure what I would have done without her, back then.  That little thing provided the solace I needed to put myself back together after a sudden and irrevocable change and meant more to me than I could fathom at the time.

 She was smart, kind and, as with all the best teachers, made me want to be better, to work harder, without ever pushing.  She was patient, fair and funny, encouraged her students to think beyond themselves and what they were used to, to spread our wings and follow our own paths, and always, always, made certain we knew how much she valued us and the work we did.

For that, and so very much more, I will always be grateful.