There she stood, so tall, so beautiful, reading to us again as she did each morning. I wanted to please her and make her proud of me. She made learning exciting. Who was she? She was Mrs. Gail Sharp, fourth grade teacher at Bryant Elementary.

Fourth grade was a tough year for me. My sister, a high school dropout, ran away from home and I had numerous bouts with ear infections. My sister was the resident babysitter which allowed my mother to work for much needed additional income. With Mom and Dad both working, I was next in line to assume this position when no one else could be found. Babysitting coupled with the ear infections caused me to miss a great deal of school the remaining year.

Mrs. Sharp had instilled such a will to learn in me, that with her help, I was able to maintain As and Bs. However, I was not going to be allowed to pass to the fifth grade because of my many absences. Mrs. Sharp took it upon herself to travel to our family doctor some 35 miles away in order to obtain a written document which allowed me to pass. She said she saw potential in me and had confidence that I could move on with no problems.

From that day forward, I promised myself that I would not let her down, that I would go on to make her proud. Throughout my childhood, I encountered many such hurdles that had to be crossed. All the while, I was able to lean on Mrs. Sharp’s words. I went on to defy fate and be the first one in my family to finish high school and obtain a college degree.

Mrs. Gail Sharp is no longer alive but I would like to tell her thank you for seeing something in me. She made more than a difference in my life; she gave me the courage to live beyond what I was destined to be.