A Teacher's Gift By Sally Ann Connolly
A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops. — Henry B. Adams
K
aitlyn began school today. The stunning miracle—who had introduced the Connolly clan to the wonder of new life and fresh beginnings—enthusiastically stepped into her new world. As they walked into school, only her mother, Kelly, hesitated. The reluctant gift-giver tightened her grip on the tender hand and prayed that Papa’s wish for Kaitlyn would come true. Papa, a lifelong educator, was present now only in their hearts. But his wish had been for an ideal first-grade teacher: a nurturing lover of learning whose unconditional acceptance, enthusiasm, and warmth would foster Kaitlyn’s curiosity and embolden her educational path. That path had an auspicious beginning. After Kelly’s second child, Olivia, was born, a bit of cabin fever had set in. A way out, thought Kelly, was to connect again with adults outside the family circle and neighborhood. By returning to work parttime, she could socialize and at the same time earn extra income for her growing family. The staff at the restaurant down the street welcomed her. Kelly and fellow waitress, Teresa, soon became friends and confidants. They supported each other through Kelly’s loss of her beloved father and through the challenges of Teresa’s potentially-serious medical condition. They also shared the joys and tribulations of balancing work with parenthood and education. For Teresa the dream of becoming a teacher had started years earlier at the local community college, and she was now approaching the realization of her goal. Through a chance encounter at the restaurant, Kelly met Teresa’s dad. Instantly, Kelly caught a glimpse of her own father. Simply serving him coffee and exchanging a few words had convinced her: "This is a good man, a special man, who dearly loves his family. I want Teresa to meet my own dad."
The next day Kelly brought into work the recently published book of her father’s writings. She slipped the book into Teresa’s locker. This was the first and only time Kelly had given away the cherished memento. The handsome face of her father smiling enigmatically on the cover and his voice so clearly heard in his writings would surely give Teresa an insight into the father she cherished. Later in the week, Kelly would learn that a gush of tears had greeted her gift. "This is the man who changed my life," Teresa had exclaimed. "He was my favorite professor and I didn’t want his class to end. He believed in me and my dream of becoming a teacher when no one else did. Just this week I completed my teaching certificate." Shortly afterward, the two friends lost touch. Kelly’s new pregnancy ran into problems and her doctor prescribed bed rest. After several hospitalizations and five weeks before the due date, Jack— the miracle baby—arrived, just in time for the beginning of the new school year. On the first day of school, Kaitlyn put on her best dress and her shiniest shoes. She grabbed her new schoolbag and lunch pack. Kelly bundled Jack across her bosom. And as he slept snugly in his sling, Kaitlyn, Kelly, Olivia, and the proud father, walked into the Bresnahan Elementary School. When they entered Kaitlyn’s assigned classroom, Teresa greeted them. Once again the dear friend burst into tears. Teresa was beginning her dream career in the only classroom that had an open position: one of the five, first grades at the Bresnahan. With kisses, hugs, and tears all around, Teresa clasped Kaitlyn’s hand, guided her to the table, and handed her the beginner’s packet. ____________________________________________________ Copyright©2006