Our local elementary school has a musical play production every spring.  It’s really good, and I always go because I know I’ll see past students.  For me it is wonderful to see the children I remember, flourishing and having fun.  For the children it is more than wonderful.  Their teacher came to their play!

They are ‘beside themselves’ in surprise.  Some hug, some look with big eyes, some jump up and down.  In the flurry after the play, I always hear, “Jennie!”  Music to my ears.

This year was different, enormously so.

The musical was Annie, Jr.  Of course I read the program to see who I knew.  Then I read the back- directors, etc.  And there was the name of the choreographer – Callie.

Callie was one of my first students.  She and I ‘opened school’ together every morning at 7:30.  We had the best time.  It was just the two of us.  Of course she was in my class, but it was those early mornings that were the best.

As the play went on, I watched Callie with the children.  She was with the younger kids, the chorus, in front of the stage.  She was good.  She had control and excitement.  When the play was over, she and the directors got flowers, but she wanted to say something with the children.  “Raise your right hand (they all did).  Repeat after me.  I will remember…”

Wait.  That’s what I always do.  I knew she remembered this from me.

After the play, I made my way to the stage, and saw Callie’s father.  He grabbed my hand, pulled me on stage and asked me if I’d seen Callie.  I told him no, so he pulled her up on the stage.

She cried.  We hugged.  Then she cried again.  She remembered me!

Callie is off to college next year in High Point, North Carolina.  Guess what her major will be.  Early Childhood Education.

Jennie