Mr. F

I just dropped my daughter off at school. Mr. F my freshman English teacher was standing outside the school welcoming the students as their parents dropped them off.
Mr F came to us from the catholic boys high school. We were his first public school class. His type of discipline was different from that of our public school teachers, and I'm sure he was use to a more disciplined group of kids. I remember one day in his class, and it still makes me laugh when I think about it.....but I remember my friend Tim, the first boy I ever kissed.....he was talking in class the same time Mr. F was writing on the chalk board and talking to the class......Mr. F spun around and threw the chalkboard eraser square at Tims face. Tim had dark hair and usually wore dark clothes........his hair, face and shirt was covered in chalk powder. My best friend Patty sat next to me and I willed myself not to look at her because I knew that if I did I would not be able to hold back the laughter that threatened to erupt.....and then I heard her chuckle......a slight, little, quiet, giggle.......that was all it took......I couldn't hold it back.....I laughed out loud....Patty laughed, and before I knew it the whole class was in hysterics....I felt bad for Tim because I knew he had to be embarrassed....and i swear I tried not to laugh....but I couldn't hold it back.....and eventually Tim laughed too....so did Mr F.
I don't recall Mr F ever losing his temper like that again. He actually turned out to be a really nice guy. One of my neighbors, a girl that was 3 years younger than me and whom I think of as a sister, grew up in a home where her dad was an abusive drunk and her mother was a prostitute and a drinker. Her mom loved her, and really tried to be a good mom......but when you're out hooking all night and your good sensibilities are clouded by drugs/alcohol no matter how hard you try to be a good parent, it's just not going to happen...... and then coming home and fighting with an abusive drunk I'd imagine it would be difficult to get your child off to school. Mr F would pick my friend up each morning, stop off to get her a milk and muffin, and take her to school. He also made sure that she made it to and home from band practice. He expected nothing in return. I've even asked her now that we are adults if he ever tried "anything" with her and she said no, that he was really just helping out a kid in need, and that it meant the world to her.
I encouraged my friend to write a note to Mr. F letting him know what it meant to her having him see after her while she was a student......... and so she wrote him a beautiful, heart felt letter. They now keep in touch via email.