Ms. Johnson

I remember being a 3rd grader at Will Rogers Elementary School in Santa Monica, CA and being almost invisible to the world. My parents were hard-working but very busy surviving and no time to spend quality time with me. They did not show affection or ever tell me they loved me, I guess as a result of how they were raised. Before and up until 3rd grade I felt like just a name and nothing else, but then as I reached 3rd grade I met my new teacher Ms. Johnson, she was kind and caring and worked closely with me. For the first time I felt loved, cared about, and important in somebody's life. Our class had several pets that she donated and which she assigned to the students. I was assigned a parakeet to take care of in the classroom the entire school year and I learned to care for my pet and soon felt it loved me too. At the end of the school year Ms. Johnson let me keep Rosie (the parakeet) I was thrilled! I had never been given anything, not even from my parents. But that wasn't the biggest gift of all it was the gift of feeling loved and cared about by someone who believed in me. I felt visible and important to someone. When I returned to school for 4th grade Ms. Johnson had been transferred to another school and although I was sad to know this, I was ok because something had changed in me. I felt alive and happy. Forty years have transpired and I can't help but wonder what Ms. Johnson would feel if she knew what an impact she made on a little girls life. I was important in the world because 1 person told me so. I am sure I am not the only life she blessed but do wonder what happened to her and hope that she had a beautiful life because she surely deserved it.

Submitted by Anonymous

Love