Ed started apologizing for the tulips he was carrying before he even sat down next to me. “Emmy picked them out, and as we were walking out of the store I remembered you’re allergic to them,” he said.
“Honestly,” I replied, “I really didn’t remember that. I think I’ll be fine.” We settled down together to watch Lily’s ballet recital that afternoon, and she would be the recipient of the tulips after the show.
Many years ago, I was a young student teacher in a middle school resource room. My cooperating teacher was amazing, and I loved teaching those kids. Dennis was a boy I particularly remember. He was in sixth grade, and yet he was fourteen since he had been held back a couple of times. He was shy and quiet, and acted younger than his fourteen years. Every morning, it became his habit to bring me a tulip. The bottom of the stem would be rough and ragged where he had torn it off. Hoping that Dennis had not stolen the tulip from the neighbors, I always placed it in a cup of water and kept it in the middle of the table where I spent most of my day working with small groups. I began to notice a pattern; I would feel fine in the evenings and early morning, but as soon as I started teaching my nose would run like crazy. It didn’t take long to make the connection between the tulip and the sneezing.
I kept that connection to myself, and Dennis continued to bring me a tulip each morning. On the last day of student teaching, I held back the tears until I made it to the car. I learned so much about teaching that semester, and would miss the teacher and students I worked with. After graduation, I found a job and worked with many, many students in the years to come. Remembering all the students I taught makes me smile–and I have a special fondness for the boy who brought me tulips.
So sweet. I've grown to like tulips more. Last spring my husband went to Holland and purchased 110 bulbs to be shipped to us some time during the winter. They came and we planted them and they reigned over our yard so beautifully for weeks. And I'm talking beautiful colors like I've never seen! Dutch tulips – so perfect.
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Oh, that sounds wonderful! We don't have many tulips in our garden, and they are so pretty!
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I admit it, I teared up at the end.
Those connections with those few special students each year — that's what makes teaching so great!
I bet your daughter loved her tulips!
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Yes, she did! Getting flowers after a recital is one of those things that my daughters really enjoy. It makes them feel so special!
My recent post Tulips
This is such a sweet story 🙂 I'm sure that boy remembers you too. You just don't forget teachers like that!
I wonder…I never thought that he might remember me, too!
My recent post Tulips
aw, that is so incredibly sweet. I'm sure that student remembers you, too. You must have really made a difference to him.
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I hope so! He was so sweet. I hope good things happened to him.
My recent post Tulips
Sweet story! Makes me miss some of my former students.
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Thanks! Some students make us happy to be teachers. 🙂
My recent post Tulips
I hope my daughter will find a teacher that makes her want to bring tulips! : )
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What a lovely remembrance. Thanks for sharing it and making me smile.
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Aww! So sweet! That reminds me of kids and dandelions. 🙂 Love it!
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We always gave our daughter flowers after her recitals too… usually a red rose or two. That is so sweet that boy would bring you a tulip every day!
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Oh so sweet. Now I feel guilty about not getting a better gift card for the teacher! Then of course, my little one might be one of the trouble makers she does not care to remember!
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I love middle school too! It's not a popular age. But I did it for six years and still hear from some of my kids… 😉