And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Matthew 5:41
"My Teacher... Mrs. Thompson"
- Author Unknown (A bit long, but so worth the read)
This is a true story, from many years ago about an elementary school teacher whose name was Mrs. Thompson. As she stood in front of her 5th grade class on the very first day of school, there in the front row, slumped in his seat, was a little boy named Teddy Stoddard.
Mrs. Thompson had watched Teddy the year before and noticed that he didn't play well with the other children, that his clothes were messy and that he constantly needed a bath. And, Teddy could be unpleasant when asked to do simple classroom activities.
At the school where Mrs. Thompson taught, she was required to review each child's past records and she put Teddy's off until last. However, when she reviewed his file, she was certainly surprised.
Teddy's first grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is a bright child with a ready laugh. He does his work neatly and has very good manners... he is a joy to be around." His second grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is an excellent student, he is well liked by his classmates, but he is troubled because his mother has a terminal illness and life at home must be a struggle."
Mrs. Thompson paused and then read what his third grade teacher wrote, "His mother's death has been hard on Teddy. He tries to do his best, but his father doesn't show much interest in him. His home life will soon affect him if some steps aren't taken." Teddy's fourth grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is withdrawn and doesn't show much interest in school. He doesn't have many friends and sometimes he sleeps in class."
By now, Mrs. Thompson realized the problem and she was ashamed of herself. She felt even worse when her students brought her Christmas presents wrapped, in beautiful ribbons and bright paper, except for Teddy's. His present, which was clumsily wrapped in heavy, brown paper that he got from a grocery bag.
Mrs. Thompson took pains to open it in the middle of the other presents. Some of the children started to laugh when she found a rhinestone bracelet with some of the stones missing and a bottle that was one quarter full of perfume.
She quickly stifled the children's laughter when she exclaimed how pretty the bracelet was, putting it on and dabbing, some of the perfume on her wrist. Teddy Stoddard stayed after school that day just long enough to say, "Mrs. Thompson, today you smelled just like my mom used to." After the children left she cried for some time.
On that very day, she quit teaching reading, writing and arithmetic. Instead, she began to teach children about real life, kindness and loving one another. Mrs. Thompson paid particular attention to Teddy. As she worked with him, his mind seemed to come alive. The more she encouraged him, the faster he responded. By the end of the year, Teddy had become one of the smartest children in the class, and despite her lie that she would love all the children the same... Teddy became one of her "teacher's pets."
A year later, she found a note under her door from Teddy. He told her that she was still the best teacher he ever had in his whole life. Six years went by before she got another note from Teddy. He then wrote that he had finished high school, third in his class, and she was still the best teacher he ever had in his whole life.
Four years after that, she got another letter saying, that while things had been tough at times, he'd stayed in school, stuck with it and would soon graduate from college with the highest of honors. He assured Mrs. Thompson that she was still the best and favorite teacher he ever had in his whole life.
Another four years passed and yet another letter came. This time he explained that after he got his medical degree. The letter explained that she was still the best and favorite teacher he ever had. But, now his name was a little longer... the letter was signed, Theodore F. Stoddard, M.D.
The story doesn't end there -- you see, there was yet another letter that spring. Teddy said he'd met this girl and was going to be married. He explained that his father had died a couple of years ago and he was wondering if Mrs. Thompson might agree to sit in the place at the wedding that was usually reserved for the mother of the groom.
Of course, Mrs. Thompson did. And, guess what? She wore that bracelet, the one with several rhinestones missing. She also made sure she was wearing the perfume that Teddy remembered his mother wearing on their last Christmas together.
They hugged each other and Dr. Stoddard whispered in Mrs. Thompson's ear, "Thank you, Mrs. Thompson for believing in me. Thank you so much for making me feel important and showing me that I could make a difference!"
Mrs. Thompson looked into Teddy's eyes and said, "Teddy, you have it all wrong. You were the one who taught me that I could make a difference. I didn't know how to teach... until I met you! And, for that I am eternally grateful to you!!"
Kindness, compassion and love are not just "feel good" ideas -- they are things that you do! What would you think if someone told you that they loved you, but never did anything to express that love?
What if Mrs. Thompson had just written another review on Teddy -- and never changed her teaching habits and routines?
Do you know someone who needs your love today... and will you love them with simple words or joyous actions??
Love is an action... not just mere words or brief moments of emotions. Love does more... and love goes the extra mile. I'm so thankful for the people in my life that went that extra mile, for had they not... I might not even be here!!
"My Teacher... Mrs. Thompson"
- Author Unknown (A bit long, but so worth the read)
This is a true story, from many years ago about an elementary school teacher whose name was Mrs. Thompson. As she stood in front of her 5th grade class on the very first day of school, there in the front row, slumped in his seat, was a little boy named Teddy Stoddard.
Mrs. Thompson had watched Teddy the year before and noticed that he didn't play well with the other children, that his clothes were messy and that he constantly needed a bath. And, Teddy could be unpleasant when asked to do simple classroom activities.
At the school where Mrs. Thompson taught, she was required to review each child's past records and she put Teddy's off until last. However, when she reviewed his file, she was certainly surprised.
Teddy's first grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is a bright child with a ready laugh. He does his work neatly and has very good manners... he is a joy to be around." His second grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is an excellent student, he is well liked by his classmates, but he is troubled because his mother has a terminal illness and life at home must be a struggle."
Mrs. Thompson paused and then read what his third grade teacher wrote, "His mother's death has been hard on Teddy. He tries to do his best, but his father doesn't show much interest in him. His home life will soon affect him if some steps aren't taken." Teddy's fourth grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is withdrawn and doesn't show much interest in school. He doesn't have many friends and sometimes he sleeps in class."
By now, Mrs. Thompson realized the problem and she was ashamed of herself. She felt even worse when her students brought her Christmas presents wrapped, in beautiful ribbons and bright paper, except for Teddy's. His present, which was clumsily wrapped in heavy, brown paper that he got from a grocery bag.
Mrs. Thompson took pains to open it in the middle of the other presents. Some of the children started to laugh when she found a rhinestone bracelet with some of the stones missing and a bottle that was one quarter full of perfume.
She quickly stifled the children's laughter when she exclaimed how pretty the bracelet was, putting it on and dabbing, some of the perfume on her wrist. Teddy Stoddard stayed after school that day just long enough to say, "Mrs. Thompson, today you smelled just like my mom used to." After the children left she cried for some time.
On that very day, she quit teaching reading, writing and arithmetic. Instead, she began to teach children about real life, kindness and loving one another. Mrs. Thompson paid particular attention to Teddy. As she worked with him, his mind seemed to come alive. The more she encouraged him, the faster he responded. By the end of the year, Teddy had become one of the smartest children in the class, and despite her lie that she would love all the children the same... Teddy became one of her "teacher's pets."
A year later, she found a note under her door from Teddy. He told her that she was still the best teacher he ever had in his whole life. Six years went by before she got another note from Teddy. He then wrote that he had finished high school, third in his class, and she was still the best teacher he ever had in his whole life.
Four years after that, she got another letter saying, that while things had been tough at times, he'd stayed in school, stuck with it and would soon graduate from college with the highest of honors. He assured Mrs. Thompson that she was still the best and favorite teacher he ever had in his whole life.
Another four years passed and yet another letter came. This time he explained that after he got his medical degree. The letter explained that she was still the best and favorite teacher he ever had. But, now his name was a little longer... the letter was signed, Theodore F. Stoddard, M.D.
The story doesn't end there -- you see, there was yet another letter that spring. Teddy said he'd met this girl and was going to be married. He explained that his father had died a couple of years ago and he was wondering if Mrs. Thompson might agree to sit in the place at the wedding that was usually reserved for the mother of the groom.
Of course, Mrs. Thompson did. And, guess what? She wore that bracelet, the one with several rhinestones missing. She also made sure she was wearing the perfume that Teddy remembered his mother wearing on their last Christmas together.
They hugged each other and Dr. Stoddard whispered in Mrs. Thompson's ear, "Thank you, Mrs. Thompson for believing in me. Thank you so much for making me feel important and showing me that I could make a difference!"
Mrs. Thompson looked into Teddy's eyes and said, "Teddy, you have it all wrong. You were the one who taught me that I could make a difference. I didn't know how to teach... until I met you! And, for that I am eternally grateful to you!!"
Kindness, compassion and love are not just "feel good" ideas -- they are things that you do! What would you think if someone told you that they loved you, but never did anything to express that love?
What if Mrs. Thompson had just written another review on Teddy -- and never changed her teaching habits and routines?
Do you know someone who needs your love today... and will you love them with simple words or joyous actions??
Love is an action... not just mere words or brief moments of emotions. Love does more... and love goes the extra mile. I'm so thankful for the people in my life that went that extra mile, for had they not... I might not even be here!!
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