I Had A Nice Surprise Recently When...

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azskyman
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I Had A Nice Surprise Recently When...

#1 Postby azskyman » Tue Jun 24, 2003 10:12 pm

Life is full of surprises. Boy, is it! Some good. Some not so good.

Big or little, tell us about a nice surprise you've had in the last few weeks or months.

I had a friend from HS call to tell me he was in town. We had breakfast together. Laughed, but didn't begin to try to catch up on the 33 years since I walked out of his house saying "I'll see ya later!" Just talked and ate and brought up a handful of remembrances that are now worth a million.

How bout you?
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#2 Postby streetsoldier » Tue Jun 24, 2003 10:29 pm

Back in 2000, I had to leave the Shriners...my income could not cover both the Shrine AND the Lodge and York Rite dues at the same time, so I sent a letter to the Shrine Almoner so stating.

Yet, I have continuously been receiving the Moolah Shriner magazine "Camel's Tales" every month since then, w/o let up. Curious, and not desiring the Shrine to waste money on this, I called the Membership Committee Chairman this week, and asked about it.

I was told that, according to the records, the Shrine had been "carrying" me as ACTIVE, and a new Moolah card was being sent out for 2003. Under whose direction this was done, I have (and had) NO idea...but it was a most welcome surprise, Steve.
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#3 Postby weatherwunder » Tue Jun 24, 2003 10:31 pm

It is amazing what brothers will do for each other!
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#4 Postby mf_dolphin » Tue Jun 24, 2003 11:05 pm

I had a special thing happen about 6 months ago. Not really a surprise but close enough. :-) When I was in High School I took French for 4 years. The teacher I had was a young gentelman that had a real love of life and love of teaching. It was always so much fun in his class. He also went the extra mile to bring us his love for the language. Once a week he hosted a French dinner at his house. The only rules were you had to speak French from the time you crossed his threshold.

To make a long story short. About months ago I felt a need to track him down and just say thank you and catch up with him. As I tried to find him I found out from a former classmate that he had left teaching which surprised me a liitle. After almost two weeks of what had become almost an obsession, I finally located him in North Carolina. After a couple of tries I actually got to talk to him. Once the small talk was out of the way, he asked why I had gone through all the trouble after 28 years to find him. I told him the truth, I had enjoyed not only his class but his obvious love of life and just wanted to let him know that I still remembered and appreciated all he did for me. The line went dead for what seemed like forever and then with a sob he told me the following. He left teaching in the late 90's due to his disillusionment with his chosen profession and passion. He felt he wasn't allowed to teach anymore and had serious doubts as to whether his years teaching had really ever done any good at all. We talked for hours after that and have now stayed in touch. Happily, he's returning to teaching this year.

I've asked myself why did I feel I had to call him and why was I so driven? Was the French that I learned so important to my life since High School? NO! (although I still remember a lot of it.) I've only come to one conclusion. It was something that needed to be done. He needed that call and I needed to make it. He taught me that life is about being passionate about something and following your passions. That was a priceless gift and thankfully I was allowed the opportunity to return a small thank you to him. :-)
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#5 Postby pojo » Tue Jun 24, 2003 11:07 pm

Marshall that sounded alot like the plot of Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom. By all means (yours and the book) its a very enchanting story!
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#6 Postby mf_dolphin » Tue Jun 24, 2003 11:11 pm

Never heard of it but I'll take your word for it. I do know this..I will never forget his voice that night. :-)
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#7 Postby MScoast » Tue Jun 24, 2003 11:21 pm

Marshall, that was a touching moment for you, I'm sure! I'm touched just by reading it.

I wasn't the one being surprised, but I surprised my best friend last November whom I hadn't seen in 8 years. We grew up together. We lived just around the corner from each other until her parents divorced and she moved away. We still called each other and wrote letters...but when I found out she was moving to Texas (where my in-laws live) I went there and surprised her! Needless to say, it was a GREAT reunion! She is like a sister to me...infact, we are closer than me and my sisters are, and they only live a few miles from me. We laughed, cried, and shared many hugs during our visit. Oh, how I wish I were back there right now. I miss her so much!
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JetMaxx

#8 Postby JetMaxx » Tue Jun 24, 2003 11:55 pm

Marshall, that is so awesome!!!!

I may have already mentioned it, but I surprised my favorite former teacher at DCHS the week before school was out...took her a nice thank you card, just to let her know how much I appreciated her; and how much she had influenced my life in a positive manner.

I'll treasure the look on her face until my dying day. It was the same look my mom always had when I'd bring her something I'd made her at school. :)

Mrs Bryson broke down (I almost did); and she hugged my neck twice...said it was the nicest thing a former student had ever done for her :)

Thanks Marshall...God bless you! :)

Perry
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#9 Postby azskyman » Wed Jun 25, 2003 7:44 am

Hey Marshall...struck a nerve with me too. I left teaching after 10 years to pursue a career in printing and publishing. I, too, felt that the impact was relatively small and the stress from politics and school boards and policies was too much.

Years later, I still stay in touch with students who have reminded me about my impact on their lives...and although I'll not go back into teaching, I still get rave reviews from tour groups I take through our plant...people reminding me how "passionate" I seem about making it a good experience.

Truth is...when I see an 8-year old looking around and wanting to learn and understand what is going on....he owns me and I give all I have to help him do just that.

Perry...yours too us a great story.

Guess what...as a result of these motivating stories, I'm going to contact a former student of mine today who I know is struggling with one of her kids this summer.
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#10 Postby JetMaxx » Wed Jun 25, 2003 9:37 am

That's so fantastic Steve! :)

A trait all of my favorite teachers shared -- they cared about me as a young man....about my future, and how was I doing in life....not just in their classroom.

When I went to see Mrs Bryson, she was very interested in how was I doing...was I okay. Even though I hadn't seen this wnoderful lady in 26 years, she remembered me...and was just as concerned about me as when I was 13 years old. :)

God Bless,
Perry
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#11 Postby Colin » Wed Jun 25, 2003 12:45 pm

My best friend, who moved to St. Thomas, in the Carribean for a while, came back, but then lived in Nazareth, which is pretty far from here, so we couldn't hang out as often.

I got a call from him a while ago and he said he's moving back to Catty, where I live, in August! :) Until then, he'll be coming to his Grammies, 2 houses down from me, every other week! :)

WOOHOO!
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