Photo Memories - Mike's First Grade

Yesterday, I shared a look into Mike's first grade classroom. As a former school teacher, when I first looked at this photo, I thought, "Boy! I'll bet he was a handful!"

That's Mike in the center of the front row - between the girls.

I met his first grade teacher when Mike's father died. She was such a sweet woman. She gave Mike a big hug, when she saw him and was all smiles. He was so proud to introduce me to her. She must have been a remarkable woman and teacher because he certainly remembers her fondly.

Later, Mike was reminiscing about the teacher and his time in her class. Here is what he had to say about her:

Her class was so fun. We learned so much in there and got to do so many fun things and she loved me. She always had my desk right beside hers. 

At that, I burst out laughing. Mike didn't understand why I thought that was so funny. Then, I explained that generally, the teacher will put a student's desk right next to hers when she needs to help him stay focused and keep him from distracting the other children. Often, it is the child whose desk is right next to the teacher's who is the behavior problem in the class or is someone who talks a lot or someone who has a hard time sitting still or staying in his seat. Sometimes it is the child who needs a little extra teacher attention to get his work completed.

Bless him!

The look that came over his face!

Then, he said, "Well, I think it is because she loved me!"

And...

You know, he probably is exactly right. She probably did love him so much. She may have struggled to get him motivated or to keep him on task and get his work done, but she still probably loved him immensely. At any rate, after all those years, it was quite evident that she loved him enough that she came to the funeral home for visitation when his father died and she was still smiling at him and taking delight in his sharing her as a part of his past.

I'm not sure if the photo below is Mike's individual first grade photograph but it is certainly one that was made at about that time. When I look at this photo, I think, what's not to love?