FAIR SHAKE

(NOTE TO MODERATOR: I was not comfortable posting this in the eBay forums, thinking it may be inappropriate. If you feel it is also inappropriate here, please feel free to delete.)

As with many of those boycotting, we do it not only for ourselves, but for others. We do it because we feel a moral need to fight corruption and greed. That is one reason why I decided to join the boycott. This is just one story of many that influenced my decision. As I stated to a fellow boycotter and new friend, I may be called unrealistic, too soft, or just plain corny, but this is who I am and what I am about. I will never apologize for that.
Karen

The First Story:

Her name was Mrs. Baker. She was my 1st and 2nd grade teacher. Mrs. Baker taught me how to read. She never had children of her own and so her students were her children. And, she loved them. She showed genuine interest in them. She helped them when they needed help. She encouraged them to try new things and she taught with love.

I remember one day, when I was in 2nd grade. I was outside at recess and sitting near the swing set, crying. I had been reading a book, which was a favorite pastime. Some older kids began to make fun of me, pointing at me and calling me a “Bookworm”. Mrs. Baker saw me and came over. She knelt down beside me, put her arm around me and said “Karen, why are you crying? Are you hurt?” I answered her “No, but the kids are calling me names.” She replied “What have they called you?” With a quivering voice I answered “Bookworm”.

Mrs. Baker smiled sweetly and said “Karen, do you know what a Bookworm is?” “No” I answered. “Well honey, a bookworm is someone who likes to read.” My face surely lit up as I said “But Mrs. Baker, I LOVE to read”. She said “Yes Karen, I know you do and that is a very good thing. When the other children tease you, you simply remember that you are doing what you love to do. You remember that their names cannot hurt you unless you allow them to. But, more importantly, you remember that reading will take you places you may never get to go otherwise and they will teach you things you may never learn anyplace else. Reading is an important part of learning, and you never want to stop learning.” I was only 7 years old at that time, so though I heard her, it took years for it all to sink in.

A few weeks later Mrs. Baker stopped coming to school. I missed her so much and wanted her back. I did not understand why she would leave me without saying goodbye. I knew she loved me, but did she stop? My heart was broken. Then my mother sat me down and said “Honey, I have some bad news to tell you. Mrs. Baker has passed away, she has died.” I did not understand this at all, so my mother in her loving way, explained to me that Mrs. Baker had become sick with an illness they called “cancer” and she was now in Heaven with God.

How I cried that day. I cried and cried and cried, till my eyes were swollen. When I stopped crying my mother told me that Mrs. Baker had left something for me, and she handed me a note. It was a letter to me from Mrs. Baker. In this letter she told me how much she loved me, how she enjoyed teaching me, and she reminded me to keep reading and learning.

I learned so much from Mrs. Baker. Some things I never even realized I had learned, till years later. Here was a woman dying from cancer, knowing it, and continuing to give. Never departing from what she believed in, and staying brave right up to the end. She was more than just a teacher, she was a fighter and she was an inspiration.

Mrs. Baker taught me much more than how to read, she taught me courage, she taught me never to let naysayers or name-callers bring me down, she taught me never to give up. She instilled values necessary to human existence. Her life was lived as she taught and she taught much by mere example. She may be gone, but her lessons will live on. I have done my best to pass them down to my children and hopefully they will pass them down to theirs. Thank you Mrs. Baker. You will never be forgotten.

I cannot imagine why anyone would EVER consider this inappropriate.

A very touching personal story--thank you so much for sharing, and I think you have placed it in this forum at the perfect spot.

This is a VERY HUMAN effort, and this lovely story makes a point that we need to give what we can, as long as we are able. Our determination to do that, and the results of our actions, may be more far-reaching than we will ever know.

Wow ... what a fantastic story to run across this evening. Thank you for sharing that.

Thank you for reading it. In these struggling times, I hope it can inspire at least one person not to give up, even when it may seem hopeless.