Telling the Story of Mrs.W.

I belong to a writers group that meets once a month.  I get a name tag that has "writer" written underneath.  The lovely woman who coordinates all of this for our group, "The Lord's Write Hands," sure knows how to make us all feel special.  Thanks Muriel.


In one of our meetings we were given an exercise that was meant to bring out more details and memories of a certain event in our lives.  Having just written "My Life on One Page" (more on that later) I chose fifth grade and Mrs. W.  After some preliminary listing of specific memories (right down to the big clock with the loudspeaker on top in the front of the room) I wrote this story.

The sun shining into the classroom made the colors of Mrs. W's dress come to life.  She always wore flowery dresses, even though she was definitely NOT the flowery type.  Her "sensible shoes" showed who she really was.  The "sturdy" part not the "support" part.

Her smile was not like my 4th grade teacher, Mrs. V.  Mrs. W's smile never quite made it to her eyes.

I, seated on the left side of the room, closest to the bright bank of windows, was following along the passage we were taking turns reading aloud.  When Mrs. W. called on me to take my turn I felt a rush of excitement.  Maybe now she would get to see how smart I was!  Mrs. V. told me I was smart, but Mrs. W. seemed to need proof....or something.

As I watch this scene unfold I begin reading and the other students turn to look at me.  I didn't think they did that when other children read but I might be mistaken.  Mrs. W's lips are pursed and her arms are folded across her chest.  Her eyes are looking straight at me.  I get a little nervous, but I'm smart!  I'll do fine and Mrs. W. will finally smile at me!

When I come to the name of the state of Maryland I read it as "Mary land."  I know, of course, how to pronounce the name of this state because my family and I had traveled there from Pennsylvania, but I had never seen it in print.

Mrs. W. barks a short laugh.  I look up to find her finally smiling, but the smile is all wrong.  Children around me are laughing.

"Mary...land!  Did you hear that?!" says Mrs. W.

I am a little embarrassed but decided to laugh with them at my mistake.  It was no big deal, right?  But, the more I smile the harder Mrs. W's eyes become.  I look at her, puzzled, not angry or humiliated.  She ends the exercise abruptly.

Was it after that event that I was moved to the darker side of the room where my head and that textbook were destined to meet?  I cannot recall.

To this day it saddens me to think that she never really got to know who I was.

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Overall, I LOVED school.  I loved reading and learning.  I always thought it was a great adventure.  Next year I would be in the sixth grade and what a year THAT was!  I'll tell you about it next Sunday!