An unexpected thanks came my way yesterday and was a day brightener! I teach academics to juvenile inmates at our county jail. I was in the jail lobby waiting to be escorted. Normally I have to wait only a few minutes, but yesterday it was an hour! The longer I was waiting, the more frustrated I felt.
I watched a young gentleman enter the lobby and immediately recognized his face. Josh. I tutored Josh a few years ago when he was suspended from school. He was very vulgar, put on a tough act and constantly challenged anything I tried to teach him. In time, he mellowed out some and I actually enjoyed working with him. As a reward for getting assignments done, Josh and I would play “Five Crowns”. While we played the card game, Josh would share a little about his upbringing and the many different homes that he lived in. His suspension ended and I knew that he was headed to California for the summer.
Josh nodded at me and asked if I was the lady who taught him at the community center. I nodded “yes” in response. He wanted to know why I was sitting in the jail lobby. So I told him that I’m a teacher at the jail now. He then stepped over to the receptionist’s window and inquired about getting an I.D. picture taken. While Josh was talking, an older man entered the lobby and stood in line behind him.
An officer finally came out to escort me and I heard Josh holler, “Wait! Wait!” I turned and gave him a puzzled look. Josh then said, “I know I gave you a lot of grief when you taught me. I also know you were stubborn and didn’t give up on me. I have changed a lot and I’m really getting my life on track. Umm…thanks for teaching me.” The older gentleman smiled and put his arm around Josh and said, “Yes, thank you. I feel like I have my grandson back. He’s turning into a fine young man.”
I told Josh that I was proud of him and that I hope he continues to go after his dreams. As the officer escorted me to the classroom, he said, “It makes it all worthwhile, doesn’t it?” And he’s right…seeing a life changed, certainly makes it all worthwhile and it even made having to wait an hour worth it.
So, have you told someone thank you lately? I know I have a few people I want to contact.
Listen to your heart…
Archive for the ‘Reunion Stories’ Category
An Unusal Way To Find Royalty
Wednesday, November 11th, 2009
The lengths some people will go to to contact an old friend.
An old friend of Camilla Parker Bowles, now wife of Prince Charles made sure that she reconnected with her old mate. The now Duchess of Cornwall was faced with this blast from her teenage past as she did a walkaround in Victoria, British Columbia on her present tour of Canadia.
The enterprising former friend of the Duchess held a sign that said ” Camillia, Lottie here. Remember Mon Fertile 1963-64.” The sign referred to a time in Camilla’s past when she attended a Swiss finishing school with the lady holding the sign, Ms Charlotte Ericson.
Ms Ericson remembers those school days well and recalls that
“We were just typical crazy teenage girls, into the Beatles, hair, make-up and clothes.We would stay up late talking about the boys we fancied and eating Swiss chocolate and giggling.There were a lot of girls there and she would spend most of her time with the British girls, but we got to know each other.”
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Camillia grew up in Sussex and was educated in an exclusive British school for the early years of her life before heading off to this particular Swiss finishing school and then another one in France. The finishing school placed a lot of emphasise on learning sewing, typing and etiquette according to Ms Ericson who is quite sure that these skills have held Camilla in good stead for her present role as the Duchess.
Ms Ericson was thrilled to catch up with her old friends and stated that she would be getting on the phone to other former school friends of Camilla’s to tell them she has spoken to her.
Camilla held up her walkabout to stand and chat with her old friend, proving that no matter how famous you may be we are all partial to a bit of nostalgia from time to time.
This was an extraordinary length for Ms Lottie Ericson to go to to find an old friend but she certainly seemed to think it was worth it. Most of us will not have to do anything nearly as public to make contact with whoever we are searching for. Which is probably just as well as I know I, for one would not have the stomach for doing something like that.
But just because our lost friends are less famous does not mean our searches are any less important. I am loving reading all the comments that people are leaving and am so keen to hear more about how all your searches are progressing.
Wrong Number?
Saturday, November 7th, 2009
“If this week gets any worse…” Janella thought to herself, as she tossed her keys onto the kitchen table. Earlier in the week she had her beloved pet Sparky put to sleep. This morning her boss informed her that she will be working on Thanksgiving and Christmas day. Janella was home just long enough to change her clothes, grab a quick supper, and then onto a meeting. As she sat down to eat her microwave dinner, the phone rang.
“Hello?”
“Um, hello,” answered the person on the other end. “Is this Traci?”
“Nope! Guess ya have the wrong number,” replied Janella.
“Oh, hey, I’m really sorry. Uh, have a good day.”
“A good day? A GOOD DAY? Don’t even get me started about my day and especially not about my week!…I’m sorry, I don’t even know you and I’m venting.”
“That’s ok. Glad I could be here for you. My name is Mark by the way.”
“I’m Janella and thanks Mark.”
As she hung up the phone, Janella thought it was a little pathetic that a wrong number was actually the highlight of her day.
A couple nights later, Janella was watching “All Dogs Go To Heaven”, sobbing as the movie made her think about Sparky. Rrrrrrrrrring. Rrrrrrrrring. “Hello?”
“Oh my word, I can’t believe I did it again. Um, it’s Mark.”
“Mark?”
“Yeah, you know, wrong number Mark.”
“Oh yeah.”
“So you sound a little down tonight. You okay?”
Janella told Mark about losing Sparky and how the movie made her miss her dog even more. An hour later they were both still talking on the phone, laughing and sharing tidbits about their lives.
Rushing to work a few weeks later, Janella stopped by Starbucks for coffee. As the person ahead of her ordered his latte, Janella recognized the voice. “Mark? Wrong number Mark?” she asked. Mark turned around. “Janella? So there really is a face to go with the voice!” They chatted awhile and Janella rushed off to her job.
It’s been five months and Janella still thinks about Mark. In fact, last month she got up the nerve to dial his phone number, only to discover it was no longer in service. She is now searching for Mark through our “I Still Remember You” website. How about you? Is there someone you can’t stop thinking about? Let us help you reunite with that special someone.
Listen to your heart…
Finding Lost Siblings Brings A Sense Of Destiny
Friday, October 30th, 2009I often think that the relationship between siblings is the one important relationship that most people under estimate. Of course, we acknowledge the profundity of the relationship between child and parent and also between lovers but siblings seem to be shoved to one side.
I think this is an error. Siblings are your blood and when all else fails they should be the ones that are there for you no matter what. It is a sad fact, however, that some siblings never get that chance. There are many reasons why brothers annd sisters lose contact and in most cases it is through no fault of their own, sometimes a person is not even aware that they have brothers and sisters.
This was the case for a New Zealand woman who reached adulthood thinking she was an only child, that is until her brother turned up on her doorstep bringing news of a whole family she had never even known existed. Dawn Kruishoop remembers thinking that she had won a radio competition she had just entered when a strange man arrived on her doorstep. But the news bought by the stranger was much more rewarding than a few holiday tickets. the stranger was her brother, Les Siuipys, and with him he bought news of a family that had fallen apart many years before.
The seperation of Dawn and Les’ parents resulted in five of the children being adopted and the remaining two being fostered out. When he reached adulthood Les was determined to put his family back together and he did. He never swayed from his mission of finding his lost siblings and after much hard work he finally reunited them all.
He used things such as electoral rolls, Salvation army records and, he openly admits, had a bit of luck along the way. One of his sisters called the reunion of her lost siblings the best day of her lfe , and they all paid tribute to Les’ determination and love for them that drove him to persist with his search.
Finding lost siblings is clearly a tough road for many but Les and his family prove it can be done and the fact that they have kept in contact over the fifty years since their intial reconciliation show the strength of the sibling bond that so many underestimate.
Siblings share a special bond
If you are looking for a lost brother or sister, this story should inspire you to keep at it. You may find an friend that will be with you in your times of need for the rest of your life.
Please join up with us in our cause to find the people we miss in our lives and even more importantly share your stories of success. A motivating story could help us all to persist in our search for lost friends or siblings.
