By second grade I learned to write well enough to make short sentences. My teacher wrote that they were “Very good”. So, I wrote more and I showed them to her. She gave me another sheet of paper which encouraged me. My third grade teacher was less impressed. I stopped showing her what I wrote. That gave her more time to focus on what was bothering her.
I am older now than either of those teachers were and I realize that I’ve been like both of them at different times of my life, sometimes unreasonably patient and other times unforgivably impatient. Looking back. I forgive the impatience in my third grade teacher and hope I can forgive it in myself as well. I understand the many reasons for impatience that torment adults. I hope her life was happy because today she looks more like my daughter than a teacher.
Given all the reasons for impatience, it amazes me that any of us are blessed enough to enjoy any patience. Nonetheless there it is again as a commonplace miracle.
MOTHER SAVES THE WORK
FLOWERS YEARN TO BLOOM AGAIN
LATER OLD LEAVES FADE
Text: Linked to dVerse Haibun Monday where Toni is hosting and to Debbie Roth’s Forgiving Fridays.
Photos: “Very Good”, above, and “Alice in Wonderland”, below.
Reblogged this on Pattimouse.
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Thank you for the reblog!
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The boy done good!!
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Yes! Thank you, Peter!
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My 2nd grade papers are long gone! What influence our first teachers have on us! Eventually they instilled forgiveness in you. Age can be a great teacher.
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Most of mine are as well, but there was a folder I remembered storing somewhere when I heard the prompt at dVerse. Thank you, Mary!
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I look forward to those flowers blooming. Patience…I wish I have more of it but I try to practice it everyday. Kudos to those who show patience specially in teaching, smiles.
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They will bloom. Thank you, Grace!
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Very nice, Frank. I’m not sure I’ve gotten I’ve my first grade teacher’s impatience, but I’ll work on that.
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Some of them are very patient–others not so much. Thank you, Dan!
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The “Alice in Wonderland” is an amazing art work! Thank Goodness for those who are patient with our young selves – they really do make all the difference.
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I’m glad you liked that art work. I can remember myself drawing it. It looked better in my memory but that is sort of what it looked like. Thank you, Margaret!
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I adore that second drawing. It’s fun and vivid and delightfully imaginative.
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It was inspired by Disney’s Alice in Wonderland seen on TV long ago. Thank you, Misky!
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That’s a great response Frank, patience is a virtue, so they say, I think we all work on it each day but there are times when it is tested I know.
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Sometimes when I least expect it I sense impatience. Thank you, Michael!
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Awesome story poem, Frank! I’m glad you got the encouragement when it mattered, and the wisdom to be forgiving to an impatient teacher as well. Without both, we might not be reading your work… or seeing your artwork!
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Those teachers were influential. I still remember both of them. Thank you, Charley!
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You are welcome!
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Nice haibun. I love that early drawings and school papers were saved for you. I like your style of writing Frank!
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It was an act of love to save them. I didn’t appreciate it until my own children arrived. Thank you, Toni!
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Love your post Frank. Teacher do make a difference in the lives of their students. Great that your writing has continued all these years.
dwight
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I remember both of those teachers more than others during those years. Thanks, Dwight!
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I think it’s amazing what times shows us as long as we are open to it.
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Being open allows many surprises to appear. Thank you, Sascha!
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🙂
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i love the duality that you presented here. and the validity of both.
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Both were good as I think back on it. Thank you!
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Yes! You’re welcome!
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Patience…something I struggle with daily! This post was perfect timing for me. It’s made me look at things differently. Thank you!
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I am glad it had such an effect. I find patience hard as well. Thank you!
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It’s amazing how those simple first sentences develop into poems with so much meaning!
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Over time it all comes together. Thank you, Kim!
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It seems Frank that you are natural talent 🙂
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I am glad you liked it. Thank you, Ben!
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I like your theme of patience, Frank…thanks for sharing your earliest work 🙂
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I was surprised I could find it or thought about using it. Thank you, Lynn!
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I’m glad you can look back on your childhood teachers with fond memories.
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Even that third grade teacher leaves fond memories now. Thank you, Jane!
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🙂
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The child is alive in you! Love your early writing, “the horses held the sticks!” And your painting!
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A child’s perspective is amazing. Thank you, Annell!
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Patience, young grasshopper! In the 1970s TV show called “Kung Fu”, the master quickly corrects his pupil Caine, illustrating that despite his blindness, his awareness of the world is much higher than Caine’s.
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Those blind masters are more aware than those with sight. Thank you!
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Oh I do love all those memories… and the lessons that we can learn. The images are adorable.
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They remind me that even I was a child like my own children. Thank you, Bjorn!
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Amazing that you still have your early literary and artistic efforts! I loved the description of the third grade teacher having time to concentrate on what was bothering her! Your subtle humor always entertains me!
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I am surprised I found them as well. I am glad you enjoyed this, Beverly!
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Oh Frank, I love this! The photos are so heart warming, and fitting for what you share. Brings me right back to being a kid too. One thing that stands out for me in what you write is the compassion and empathy for the impatient teacher. That opens such room for forgiveness. Thank you.
I’m honored to share your post for #ForgivingFridays yet again!! Have a blessed week, Frank. Debbie
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Thank you, Debbie! I thought that third grade teacher was scary until I watched my daughters grow up and I could see how young she really was with her own fears and problems. It just takes a different perspective.
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Yes, so true Frank. Same with forgiveness. ❤
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Patient
Kind
Love is
Blind to Mind..
i sTill hAve ThREE MiNutes
Frank… For Love alSo Fasts As HeART..:)
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Yes, “blind to mind” And kind. Thank you, Fred!
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Thank you
Frank
In
KinD..:)
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What a delightful ramble down memory lane. 🙂
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I enjoyed recalling it. Thank you, Suzanne!
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It’s lovely to see your earlier ‘work’😄. Patience is a gift.. I’m sure of this…it doesn’t come easily.
Beautiful haiku.
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I was surprised I actually found it. I am glad you liked it, Vivian!
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Quoting you: “Given all the reasons for impatience, it amazes me that any of us are blessed enough to enjoy any patience.” I TOTALLY AGREE!!!!!!
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It seems like all the reasons are stacked against us and then almost miraculously we have patience and can forgive. Thank you, Terre!
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I am not so patient.
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One thing I appreciate being an older person is the ability to put the past in perspective and to heal from past wounds. I am reminded of that by your haibun.
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With more experience one can get a deeper perspective. That makes sense. Thank you, Imelda!
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An interesting piece of writing, Frank. I am only impatient when I am very overworked and even then, I try not to be.
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Usually there is something stressing me that sets the stage for impatience. It is amazing how hard patience can be at those times. Thank you, Robbie!
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