Originally posted by Jake01: I am sure many of you have read this one, but here it is for the one that haven't seen it, it is such a Sweet story.......
As she stood in front of her 5th grade class on the very first day of school, she told the children an untruth. Like most teachers, she looked at her students and said that she loved them all the same. However, that was impossible, because 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 did not play well with the other children, that his clothes were messy and that he constantly needed a bath. In addition, Teddy could be unpleasant. It got to the point where Mrs. Thompson would actually take delight in marking his papers with a broad red pen, making bold X's and then putting a big 'F' at the top of his papers.
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 in for a surprise.
Teddy's first grade teacher wrote, 'Teddy is a bright child with a ready laugh. He does his work neatly and has good manners... he is a joy to be around..'
His second grade teacher wrote, 'Teddy is an excellent student, well liked by his classmates, but he is troubled because his mother has a terminal illness and life at home must be a struggle.'
His third grade teacher wrote, 'His mother's death has been hard on him. He tries to do his best, but his father doesn't show much interest, and 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Teddy's fourth grade teacher wrote, 'Teddy is withdrawn and doesn't show much interest in school.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 he sometimes sleeps in class.'!
By now, Mrs. Thompson realised 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 was clumsily wrapped in the 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. But she stifled the children's laughter when she exclaimed how pretty the bracelet was, putting it on, and dabbing some of the perfume on he r wrist. Teddy Stoddard stayed after school that day just long enough to say, 'Mrs. Thompson, today you smelled just like my Mum used to.'
After the children left, she cried for at least an hour. On that very day, she quit teaching reading, writing and arithmetic. Instead, she began to teach children. 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, telling her that she was 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 life.
Four years after that, she got another letter, saying that while things had been tough at times, he'd stayed in school, had stuck with it, and would soon graduate from college with the highest of honours.He assured Mrs. Thompson that she was still the best and favorite teacher he had ever had in his whole life.
Then four more years passed and yet another letter came. This time he explained that after he got his bachelor's degree, he decided to go a little further.The letter explained that she was still the best and favourite teacher he ever had. But now his name was a little longer.... The letter was signed, Theodore F. Stoddard, MD.
The story does not end there. You see, there was yet another letter that spring. Teddy said he had 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 at the wedding in the place 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. Moreover, she 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, with tears in her eyes, whispered back She 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.'
(For you that don't know, Teddy Stoddard is the Dr.at Iowa Methodist in Des Moines that has the Stoddard Cancer Wing.)
Warm someone's heart today. . . pass this along. I love this story so very much, I cry every time I read it. Just try to make a difference in someone's life today? tomorrow? just 'do it'.
Now you have had your fun dcw, can you not for the last time stay out of this thread for good. We stay away from you, and you stay away from us.
I wouldn't push it with me today, I dont give a x if I get banned. so please, don;t push me.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: Sprint_girl07,
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- God Bless America - God Bless Immigrants - God Bless Poor Misguided Souls Too Mr S.U.
Originally posted by Sprint_girl07: Oh Proud..do you want a visitor in mid July?
Son is off to Dallas..me free! LOL
Hey Sprint! Sure - come on over!! Mind you, we might not have a boat by then, though. Found out this AM our marina was trashed in the storms of Sunday & Monday. Hubby is going down to assess the damage now. One of the boats behind our is completely destroyed (and she was a real beauty).
Davdah, I forgot to ask you. Did you and your wife go to NIOSA (Night in Ole San Antonio) during Fiesta week?
That is the one thing I miss about SA when I was there awhile back and now in my current profession.
"Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passion, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence." John Adams on Defense of the boston Massacre
Hi, Jeanine, nice to see you around more often. For good or not yet?
________________________________________________________________ "The letter of the law is a sword that killeth; its intent is a spirit that giveth life."
Originally posted by OldE: Now if it all ended up with him having s-e-x with his teacher in conference room and being caught by dean the day before his award of Professorship (with subsequent dismissal,total destruction of his career and return to old ways, with teacher smiling very cleverly, in Sun Tzu style) - now that would be a story to share !!!
@OLdE: you know, you can be quiet disturbing sometimes....
Ability may get you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there.
Posts: 557 | Location: Davis, CA, USA | Registered: 08-23-2003
Originally posted by Jeanine: @RN: hello! Thanks....well, ryn: you know what it depends on...
Ah, yeah, I know very well, my friend.
________________________________________________________________ "The letter of the law is a sword that killeth; its intent is a spirit that giveth life."
Originally posted by speed_025: GoodEvening Everyone! Sprint, Jake Brit, Proud, Hudson ,E, Explora, IP 4now, Mike, Davdah , RN, MrsB, CM ( of corse lol) and everyone else.
Just for info, Mike is busy working overtime to cover the payroll. He's dancing till he dropped.
Good afternoon to all the GOOD people in ILW, including Speed and Sam,
Hi to all the GOOD people in ILW: p. 276
Reporting for duty - where's Catfather Mike?
I can't stay long - there are some rearrangements being done in the office and sked's hectic. I see that I have to backtrack over so many pages in our hang-out thread but just to say congratulations to CM! I agree with Speed - another celebration! We missed you Jeanine and a warm welcome to JediKnight - you're in good company my friend.
Hello to CM, Brit and Davdah - I saw you 3 are online.
Do all the good you can, in all the ways you can, as long as ever you can.
Hi Mrs. B. and everyone else! I believe Mike has disappeared!!!! It's been awhile since he's been on, eh? I hope he's okay. Don't work too hard, Mrs. B.!
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