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7/06/2008

Sunday Fill - Part 3

When I was in the 2nd grade, my teacher's name was Sister Aloyisius. She was an ancient little Nun with a wavering voice and a palsied hand. I was teacher's pet.

We had a young lad in our class who was something of a Drama Queen. At some point or other the rest of us boys in the class discovered that if pinched, Lawrence would scream. Usually, we tortured this poor lad on the playground, during recess. But occasionally, when Sister was turned away and facing the blackboard (which really WAS black, in those days), Lawrence would get pinched while seated in class. He never seemed to know who his tormenter was, or if he had a suspicion, it could never be proven. There would be these periods of head down, in the book concentration suddenly punctuated by a sharp scream from Lawrence. Anyway, one day, as Sister was at the blackboard, I leaned over, across the aisle, to deliver one to Lawrence, when Sister whirled around and caught me in the act. She came flying down the aisle that separated our rows of desks and delivered a resounding blow across my cheek. I was made to stand in the corner, facing away from the room, until I was ready to say 'Sorry' to Lawrence.

Later that day, as I was at me desk, head down, writing something or other, but in deep concentration, I was suddenly aware of the presence of Sister. Behind me. No rattle of beads or footstep or anything else gave her presence away, but I KNEW she was there. I turned, and looked up, and said, "Sister Aloyisius, I love you." She reached out and took my face in her hands, bent down, and smiled at me, gave me a little shake and then walked on, on patrol, looking for violators of the peace.

I don't know whatever happened to Lawrence. He never came back for 3rd grade. They probably moved or something. As for Sister Aloyisius, she died while I was in Viet Nam. I found out, after I came home, that she had asked for me while on her deathbed. One of the real regrets of my life is that I couldn't be there for her. She was a sweet heart.

25 comments:

Elizabeth said...

I would be hard pressed to have so much affection for someone who popped me one in school!

Unknown said...

I'm sure she knew that you would have been there, had you been able to be.

Christy said...

Hmmm. I had to think about that one.

She cared enough to try to keep you from being a bullying jerk, but she hit you, but you loved her....

I have a secret though. Anytime ANYBODY takes the time to cradle my face I love them. It Pavlovian response for me.

Poor Lawrence. Probably became serial killer, though.

Anglophile Football Fanatic said...

Why couldn't I give my naughty students that big whap? Man, to have been a teacher back in those days. I'd probably still be teaching.

Christy said...

Hey, Anglophile, in KY the parents can give you a note to be allowed to use corporal punishment.

Is that good?

I'm not sure.....

Anonymous said...

when I think back over the school years I remember a teacher or two I wish I'd slapped.

but I can be such a bitch......

Christy said...

I slapped a girl in high school for staring at me funny.

And I kicked a guy in the groin for same offense.

Anger management anyone???

But......I would never have even thought about hitting a teacher, ever, ever.

Until I got to college, I so revered authority that I didn't even consider teachers human.

Then I had an econ professor that I used to give come-on looks and sort of, uh, subtly pleasure myself for in class.

What a ho!

I got an A....

Alice said...

Thanks for the list of players!

And I think my GirlChild has channeled you. She is a pro at the age of 5 at throwing out the well-timed, "but I love you" in the midst of being in trouble. You really can't be mad after that.

Unknown said...

Elizabeth: Did I not mention I was teacher's pet? One transgression (on either one's part) wasn't going to be enough to destroy our relationship.

Hyphen Mama: She knew how I felt about her, that's for sure. She inspired me to learn more than any teacher I ever had.

AFF: See the comment after yours.

warriorwoman: But a well loved bitch, to be sure.

Christy: You are SO my kind of woman.

Alice: I LOVE it. Tell GirlChild that I approve and she's free to channel me anytime at all.

Nan Sheppard said...

My boys are hoping to get into a catholic boys' high school. Until recently, the boys there who got into trouble were caned. I will be interested to see what new techniques the masters have now, for controlling a class of forty teenaged boys! My kids have been occasionally spanked, but the younger ones less than the older ones as I learned more effective techniques and saw that spanking isn't the answer. Usually!

Vikki North said...

Hi Lou,
Very endearing story: the lessons we learn and the people that love us –even so.
She must have adored you. (I went to Catholic school also)
But poor Lawrence. I bet you wonder what became of him?
Vikki

Momisodes said...

Ay yi yi! Lou, shame on you for picking on Lawrence! :)

Sister Aloyisius must have been quite a special woman. I'm sure she knew you would have been there if you could.

Bee said...

In first grade there was this girl named Debbie who was very poor and wore torn undies and had a wonky eye. We used to stand under the monkey bars and watch her do flips. Though she let us, I still feel bad about that to this day. Really, the only regrets I have are ever having hurt anyone's feelings.

Shadow said...

wow, what a sweet story!!!!

Unknown said...

Nan: I got spanked with an oak paddle in High School. I don't think it did any good.

redchair: Yes, over the years I have wondered.

Sandy: She was one of a kind. Kinda like you.

bee: That's so sad. Do you know how she is now?

shadow: Thank you. She was a sweetheart, and a sweet heart.

Jennifer said...

that is a sweet story! :) I bet Sister A knew you were going to grow up and become such a great man! She probably knew you were doing wonderful things and couldn't be there, otherwise without a doubt you would have! :)

xoxoxo stay sweet!!

Anonymous said...

Sister Aloyisius sounds like all that. Poor Lawrence, though.

Anonymous said...

Lovely story!
Do you think she may have visited you at her death while you were in Vietnam? That happened to me once.

Loralee Choate said...

That is a sweetheart of a story.
Seriously, seriously sweet story.

Anonymous said...

Oh that last paragraph just got me in the heart.

Anonymous said...

Oh that last paragraph just got me in the heart.

Anonymous said...

Oh that last paragraph just got me in the heart.

Rebecca (Ramblings by Reba) said...

Oh that is SO SWEET!

Really...

Crimzen Creative said...

A touching story and I hope you have let go of that regret. She has moved on to a better place and holds nothing against you. Thanks for sharing :-)

Unknown said...

Jennifer: Thank you. there is some serious feel good in all of that. More than I deserve.

maggies mind: I wonder, at times, what ever happened to him.

witchypoo: No, I'm pretty sure Jesus wanted to get the party started as soon as possible, so she didn't have time.

loralee choate: A sweet complement from a sweet lady. Thank you.

tiff: And you have such a huge heart - it's hard to miss it.

rebecca: Thank you, Reba.

lady language: You're welcome. I love sharing - especially when the feedback is so positive.