Teachers' Words of Wisdom... 5 Piddley Little Words

I saw this on the Deadly Divas facebook page, and thought it was a great topic.

School is almost out here in New York.  Many schools across the U.S. are already enjoying summer vacations.
Deadly Divas wanted to know if you had a favorite quote from a favorite teacher.. 

The question brought back some memories from high school.  I have two favorite quotes from two of my favorite teachers.

The first one comes from a Science teacher.  He was a younger, hip kinda guy that I really liked.  Down-to-earth and friendly, this guy treated us like real people.  Not teenagers, not kids, but people.  In my yearbook, he wrote "Always keep rounded shoulders!"  When I read it, I thought, "what the heck does that mean?"  So I asked him.  His explanation made total sense, and I have since told the same thing to a not a few people.
He said that when someone throws s*&% (poo-poo) at you, keep your shoulders rounded so it rolls right off your back.
Terrific advice.

My second favorite quote comes from my creative writing teacher.  She was by far my favorite teacher of all time.  I loved her class, her style... I just loved her!  So when I asked her to sign my yearbook, I was just beside myself waiting to see what she would write.  And I remember that she kept the book for like two days.  I thought man, she must really be writing something awesome!
So when she finally gave my yearbook back, I couldn't wait to read her entry.  I remember feeling sooo disappointed when this is what I read: "I hope life surprises you."  I was like "THAT'S IT???"!!!!  I couldn't believe that she had the book for all that time and she wrote 5 piddley little words???  I was expecting like a whole page of profound thoughts and words of wisdom!
"I hope life surprises you."???  I went over it again and again, and I just couldn't wrap my head around this.  I mean, the woman knew how I felt about her.  She knew how I felt about creative writing and literature.  How could she disappoint me with just 5 piddley little words?

Well, that was 20 years ago.  And I can't tell you how many times I have thought back to those 5 piddley little words.  I can't tell you how many times life has surprised me!  Sometimes multiple times in one day!
I am surprised by how much I am still in love with my husband, after 19 years.  These days, that's no easy feat.  Marraige seems disposable.  There seems to be a "if it doesn't work, we'll just get divorced" mentality.  I'm in it for the long haul.
I am surprised by the unconditional love I have for my children.  It's so easy to judge people and their choices.  Before I had kids, I could very easily judge people in the malls or restaurants who let their kids run wild, screaming like maniacs, whatever.  Now I have children of my own and I see that it's not that easy.  I used to say, "I would kill my kid if.... " (fill in the blank).  I would never kill my kid (you know what I mean!)  Even if they do something totally not right and totally stupid, and make totally stupid choices.  I will talk with them, I will guide them, I will hope for the best that what I am teaching them will stay with them and make them stand-up men when they are grown.
I am surprised by how hard it is to raise a family.  I've heard people say it is the hardest job in the world.  It is.
I am surprised by how little all of the drama in my teenage years matters now.  I thought the heartache would last forever!
I am surprised by how much love and happiness pets can bring to your life.  They're part of the family... not just "a dog" and "a cat".  They're like my children.. they're a part of me.
I'm surprised by how hurtful people can be.  Purposely.  To go out of their way and say hurtful things for the sole purpose of hurting someone.  Truly.
I am surprised that in this day and age, the year 2010, that being gay or homosexual is still the issue it continues to be.  I don't care if you're gay.  You love who you love.  What does it matter?  Everyone is entitled to love.  Let's get over it.  I've seen high school juniors "dirty dance" at school proms, and am appalled by the way some of these young girls dress.  There were girls at my neice's sweet 16 who were proud of the fact that they didn't have any underwear on, for God's sake!  I find two young men or two young women walking down the street together far less offensive then a straight couple who think it's fine to show all and bare all.

Well, anyway... you get the picture.

 I am surprised by so many things, so many times a day.
When I think back to those 5 piddley little words, I am truly surprised by how much they have meant to me.  
                    
I thank you, Mrs. Richardson.

Life really has surprised me.