Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Miss Lou
Take a moment or two and think of the two or three people in your life, outside of your own household, that really made a different to you. These people made you feel special, set a good example, or helped you in some way. These are people you will never forget, no matter how many more years you live.
Now I really want you to think of these people. Recall their names and what they meant to you. I'll wait. Take your time.
. . .
. . .
. . .
Does recalling these people make you feel warm and special all over again? I certainly hope so.
I want to tell you about one of the people in my life. Her name, to everyone who loves her, is Miss Lou. I met her in 1974 when my family moved to North Carolina. I was in the 7th grade and did not want to move at all. It was a horrible year for me. Everything was different, and I don't mean in a good way.
We joined the local Lutheran Church, where my father was engaged as the choir director. Miss Lou was my Sunday School teacher. She was also the local librarian (yes, we still called them that in those days). Miss Lou taught me how to pronounce Habakkuk - you know, one of those more obscure books in the Old Testament. She also seemed to very concerned about my braces. Every time I went to the library, I had to show them to her, while she winced at the very thought of them.
Really, there was not much more to it than that. She remembered my name, she inquired about how I was doing, and she really seemed to care about what was going on with me.
When I got married, Miss Lou and her husband attended my registry. Not long after, George died. I felt very fortunate that the photographer got a particularly good picture of them - Miss Lou looking like the angel that she is and George showing that mischievous side of himself. I had a copy made for Miss Lou. I didn't see her much in those days, but I will always remember the visit we had when I took it to her.
After that, I moved away from home. I heard from Miss Lou once. She sent me a gift certificate for long-distance telephone calls so that I could keep in touch with my family.
After that, my life was complicated and I moved around a bit. I kept up with the major things in Miss Lou's life and vice versa through my mother. Then, about six years ago, Miss Lou traveled over two hours to attend my mother's house blessing. Now I failed to mention that Miss Lou was an old lady when I met her (at least in the eyes of an adolescent). She retired not long after we moved to North Carolina. Of course, nowadays, I wouldn't think she was that old back then! But she's certainly the epitome of a sweet little old lady these days.
I loved that visit with her, too. She enjoyed seeing my children and their dogs running down the hill toward their grandparents' home. She once again cared so much for what was going on in my life.
Now let's think about these people, the Miss Lou's of the world. Why do we admire them so much? It is because they are rich? It is because they have Ph.D.'s and win Nobel prizes? Is it because they breed the best bunnies in the country?
I'm willing to bet that they are not. I'm willing to bet that every person on your list is ordinary in almost every way. The only thing that sets them apart is that they made you feel cared for and took time out of their life for you.
I met Miss Lou at the library. It's an ordinary place one would go in the ordinary routine of life. A rabbit show is an ordinary place, too. It is a place where we meet many people for whom we could become that special person they never forget.
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry “Home Of Grand Champions”
Precious Pet Rabbits
Affordable Web Site Design ¶ 6:44 PM
Now I really want you to think of these people. Recall their names and what they meant to you. I'll wait. Take your time.
. . .
. . .
. . .
Does recalling these people make you feel warm and special all over again? I certainly hope so.
I want to tell you about one of the people in my life. Her name, to everyone who loves her, is Miss Lou. I met her in 1974 when my family moved to North Carolina. I was in the 7th grade and did not want to move at all. It was a horrible year for me. Everything was different, and I don't mean in a good way.
We joined the local Lutheran Church, where my father was engaged as the choir director. Miss Lou was my Sunday School teacher. She was also the local librarian (yes, we still called them that in those days). Miss Lou taught me how to pronounce Habakkuk - you know, one of those more obscure books in the Old Testament. She also seemed to very concerned about my braces. Every time I went to the library, I had to show them to her, while she winced at the very thought of them.
Really, there was not much more to it than that. She remembered my name, she inquired about how I was doing, and she really seemed to care about what was going on with me.
When I got married, Miss Lou and her husband attended my registry. Not long after, George died. I felt very fortunate that the photographer got a particularly good picture of them - Miss Lou looking like the angel that she is and George showing that mischievous side of himself. I had a copy made for Miss Lou. I didn't see her much in those days, but I will always remember the visit we had when I took it to her.
After that, I moved away from home. I heard from Miss Lou once. She sent me a gift certificate for long-distance telephone calls so that I could keep in touch with my family.
After that, my life was complicated and I moved around a bit. I kept up with the major things in Miss Lou's life and vice versa through my mother. Then, about six years ago, Miss Lou traveled over two hours to attend my mother's house blessing. Now I failed to mention that Miss Lou was an old lady when I met her (at least in the eyes of an adolescent). She retired not long after we moved to North Carolina. Of course, nowadays, I wouldn't think she was that old back then! But she's certainly the epitome of a sweet little old lady these days.
I loved that visit with her, too. She enjoyed seeing my children and their dogs running down the hill toward their grandparents' home. She once again cared so much for what was going on in my life.
Now let's think about these people, the Miss Lou's of the world. Why do we admire them so much? It is because they are rich? It is because they have Ph.D.'s and win Nobel prizes? Is it because they breed the best bunnies in the country?
I'm willing to bet that they are not. I'm willing to bet that every person on your list is ordinary in almost every way. The only thing that sets them apart is that they made you feel cared for and took time out of their life for you.
I met Miss Lou at the library. It's an ordinary place one would go in the ordinary routine of life. A rabbit show is an ordinary place, too. It is a place where we meet many people for whom we could become that special person they never forget.
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry “Home Of Grand Champions”
Precious Pet Rabbits
Affordable Web Site Design ¶ 6:44 PM
