You can make a difference.
Welcome back!
Three Letters from Teddy.
As she stood in front of her 5th grade class on the first day of school, she told the children an untruth. Like most teachers, she looked at her students and said that she loved them all the same.
However, that was impossible, because there in the front row, slumped in his seat was a little boy named Teddy Stallard. Miss Thompson had watched Teddy the year before and noticed that he didn’t play well with other children, that his clothes were messy, and that he constantly need a bath.
And, Teddy could be unpleasant.
It got to the point where Miss Thompson would actually take delight in marking his papers with a broad red pen, making bold X’s and then putting a big “F” at the top of his papers.
At the school where Miss Thompson taught, she was required to review each child’s past records, and she put Teddy’s off until the last. However, when she reviewed his file, she was in for a surprise.
Teddy’s first grade teacher wrote: “Teddy is a bright child with a ready laugh. He does his work neatly and has good manners. He is such a joy to be around.”
His second grade teacher wrote: “Teddy is an excellent student, well liked by his classmates, but he is troubled because his mother has a terminal illness, and life at home must a struggle.”
Hi third grade teacher wrote: “His mother’s death has been hard on him. He tries to do his best, but his father doesn’t show much interest, and his home life will soon affect him if some steps aren’t taken.”
Teddy’s fourth grade teacher wrote: “Teddy is withdrawn and doesn’t show much interest in school. He doesn’t have many friends and he sometimes sleeps in class.”
By now, Miss Thompson realized the problem and she was ashamed of herself.
She felt even worse when her students brought her Christmas presents, wrapped in beautiful ribbons and bright paper, except for Teddy’s.
His present was clumsily wrapped in heavy brown paper that he got from a grocery bag. Miss Thompson took pains to open it in the middle of the other presents.
Some of the students started to laugh when she found a rhinestone bracelet with some of the stones missing and a bottle that was one-quarter full of perfume. But she stifled the children’s laughter when she exclaimed how pretty the bracelet was, putting it on, and dabbing some of the perfume on her wrist.
Teddy Stallard stayed after school that day just long enough to say, “Miss Thompson, today you smell just like my Mom used to.”
After the children left she cried for at least an hour. On that very day, she quit teaching reading, writing and arithmetic. Instead, she began to teach children.
Miss Thompson paid particular attention to Teddy. As she worked with him, his mind began to come alive. The more she encouraged him, the faster he responded. By the end of the year, Teddy had become one of the smartest children in the class, and despite her lie that she would love all the children the same, Teddy became one of her “teacher’s pets.”
A year later, she found a note under her door from Teddy, telling her that she was the best teacher he’d ever had in his whole life!
Six years went by before she got another note from Teddy. He then wrote that he had finished high school third in his class, and she was still the best teacher he ever had in his whole life.
Four years after that, she got another letter, saying that while things had been tough at times, he’d stayed in school. He’d stuck with it, and would soon graduate from college with the highest of honors. Again he assured Miss Thompson that she was still the best and favorite teacher he’d ever had.
Then four more years passed and yet another letter came. After he got his bachelor’s degree he had decided to go a little further. She was still the best and favorite teacher he’d ever had. But now his name was a little longer … the letter was signed “Theodore F. Stallard, M.D.”
The story does not end here.
There was yet another letter that spring. Teddy said he’d met this girl and was going to be married. He explained that his father had died a couple of years ago, and he was wondering if Miss Thompson might agree to sit at the weeding in the place that was usually reserved for the mother of the groom.
Of course, Miss Thompson did. And guess what? She wore that bracelet, the one with several rhinestones missing. Moreover, she made sure she was wearing the perfume that Teddy remembered his mother wearing on their last Christmas together.
They hugged each other, and Dr. Stallard whispered in Miss Thompson’s ear: “Thank you for believing in me. Thank you so much for making me feel important and showing me that I could make a difference.”
Miss Thompson, with tears in her eyes, whispered back. She said, “Teddy you have it all wrong. You were the one who taught me that I could make a difference. I didn’t know how to teach until I met you!”
You can never tell what type of impact you may have on another’s life by your actions … or lack of action. Please consider this fact in your venture through life, and just try to make a difference in someone else’s life today.
By Elizabeth Silance Ballard, Published in 1974 by Home Life Magazine
You can make an impact on someone’s life everyday, live your life wisely.
Giovanna Garcia
Imperfect Action is better than No Action
It’s extremely rare that I read something on a blog that brings tears to my eyes like this story did. An unexpected emotion for the evening and even more important, a reminder to pay attention to those around me. I would love to make such a difference in someone’s life such as this story~~
Thank you for sharing,
Rebecca
Thank you for that beautiful story. Tears in my eyes make it hard to type.
Dan and Deanna “Marketing Unscrambled”
I had goosebumps when I read this. What an inspiring story. Sometimes it takes years to know what impact our actions have on others. Stumbled!
It’s a lovely story that one .. we never know what is going on behind the facade .. and I try and keep that thought at my forefront of thoughts .. so if I’m talking to someone I can take a mental step back & say .. perhaps there’s something going on that I don’t know about .. - it is a real self development knock to my brain ..
Thanks Gio - for sharing that wonderful story & it brought tears to my eyes too ..
Hilary: Be Positive Be Happy
This is great story that resonates w/me a lot. As an aspiring dad I can see what my kids go through in school and what role models they are exposed to. I am in pain. My approach here is trying to serve as a role model compensating for what they are exposed outside the home walls. I have seen few talks on TED - you must love it too. Go see these please:
http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/ken_robinson_says_schools_kill_creativity.html
http://www.ted.com/talks/view/id/462
Very inspiring stuff.
Gio,
Thank you for posting this story. I first heard it in Dr. Wayne Dyer’s talks and it really touched my heart. I am so glad that after 5 years you made me recall that time. I always wonder about the power of love. Just reading about it can bring tears in our eyes, not to mention its incredible energy which transforms us when we experience it first hand.
Another beautiful story. What a blessing this blog is to read everyday!
Hi Rebecca
The story about Teddy made such a strong point about how we are making an impact everyday - good or bad. So it remind us to pay attention on our action.
Thank you for your comment and sharing your thoughts with us.
Giovanna Garcia
Imperfect Action is better than No Action
Hi Deanna
I got emotional when I did this post myself, it is such a great story.
Thank you for your comment and joining the conversation.
Giovanna Garcia
Imperfect Action is better than No Action
Hi Daphne
Some time we made impact that we might never find out, we just need to know that we are making impact on everyone we touched. So always pay attention on what we do.
Thank you for your comment and your stumbled ;-).
Giovanna Garcia
Imperfect Action is better than No Action
Giovanna!
I am speechless but my heart is clapping and my soul, laughing! :~) What a wonderful reminder that we all impact each other no matter the degree of action or non-action! Thank you for sharing this awesome post!
“Sometimes it is the lone beggar in the street that teaches us the most…about life and love!” ~Henie~
Hi Hilary
The story about Teddy is a one that can be told a thousand and still would be powerful.
No one is perfect, even the best teacher. The point is pay attention to what we do, and make a change when we notice we are wrong. It is never too late.
Thank you for your comment and your support.
Giovanna Garcia
Imperfect Action is better than No Action
Hi Alik
Thank you Alik
I will watch the TED videos later today. I am sure that they are great, I have not seen any TED video that I don’t enjoy.
Thank you for your comment and sharing your wisdom with us.
Giovanna Garcia
Imperfect Action is better than No Action
Hi Sunny
You are very welcome. I got teary eyes when I did this post. You hit the nail right on the head “The power of Love.” It is never too late, all Teddy needed was some to show him love.
Thank you for your comment and joining the conversation.
Giovanna Garcia
Imperfect Action is better than No Action
Hi Jay
Thank you for the kind words. It is a blessing for to write this blog daily as well.
Thank you for your comment and support.
Giovanna Garcia
Imperfect Action is better than No Action
Hi Henie
Each one of us are writing on someone else’s live everyday - good or bad. So we have to pay attention on what we do.
Great to see you
Thank you for your comment and sharing your thoughts with us.
Giovanna Garcia
Imperfect Action is better than No Action
Wow! Amazing story Giovanna! It really makes me stop and think about the impact I may have on other peoples lives.
I very much like this line …
“… she quit teaching reading, writing and arithmetic. Instead, she began to teach children.”
Hi Christy
We may be just everyday people but we make impact on peoples lives everywhere we go.
Thank you for your comment and joining in the conversation.
Giovanna Garcia
Imperect Action is better than No Action
Hi J.D.
I agree that is priceless, to teach children not reading, writing or arithmetic.
Thank you for your comment and sharing your wisdom.
Giovanna Garcia
Imperect Action is better than No Action
Hi, Giovanna,
I had a favorite teacher too…the one that took an interest in a shy little runt of a girl. My tears are flowing as I remember her. Thanks for sharing.
Another great story. You make my blog look pale in comparison!! Thank you for this.
Hi Amelia
Thank you for sharing your story of your favorite teacher, I had a sewing teacher when I was came to America. At the time I felt like she was the only teacher who notice me.
Thank you for your your comment and support.
Giovanna Garcia
Imperfect Action is better than No Action
Hi Christopher
Thank you for the kind words, I enjoy your blog very much so. Your blog is Sublime Goodness to me, it alway gives me the feeling of there is goodness every where.
Thank you for your comment and support.
Giovanna Garcia
Imperfect Action is better than No Action
Hi, Giovanna, tears almost came to my eyes when I finished reading the article.
Small gestures but could bring a big impact.
Thanks for sharing this great story, Giovanna.
Hi Arswino
Each one of us can make a big impact by doing the littlest things.
Thank you for your comment and sharing your thoughts.
Giovanna Garia
Imperfect Action is better than No Action
Giovanna, I liked this so much, I put a link to it on my blog.
http://marketingunscrambled-homeedition.blogspot.com/2009/03/beautiful-notes.html
It is short and sweet. I am also going to stumble this one. Have a great day. Thank you for your post on our other blog.
Dan and Deanna “Marketing Unscrambled”
Thank you Giovanna for sharing this amazing story! Of course, the story brought tears to my eyes too! I have cried more in the last few days then I have in a while. I have been feeling so many emotions and for so many different reasons! What a great lesson and I hope will impact many!
XOXO
Veronica Stellas
http://www.netwebmarketer.com/discoveryourdreams
Hi Deanna
Thanks for the link and stumble
Teddy’s story is a fantastic one that everyone can learn from.
Thank you for your comment and sharing your thoughts.
Giovanna Garcia
Imperfect Action is better than No Action
This was extremely inspirational. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Hi Stephen
Teddy’s story is one of the best story of all time. You are welcome, I am glad this inspire you so much and it did the same for me as well.
Thank you for your comment and support.
Giovanna Garcia
Imperfect Action is better than No Action
Hi Veronica
The story of Teddy has brought tears to many people’s eyes. It is a timeless lesson for us all.
Thank you for your comment and sharing your thoughts with us.
Giovanna Garcia
Imperfect Action is better than No Action
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Such a touching story. I get teary-eyed every time I read it. Sometimes all it takes is love to change someones life around.
Hi Tanya
Love is the most powerful thing in the world.
Thank you for your comment and support.
Giovanna Garcia
Imperfect Action is better than No Action
This is a really nice story it riminds me when i was at school when i was rejected by class mates i had no friends, when i read this story i get tears. hope adults will get a lesson from this story.
beppe