Now Is Gone

 It's such a cool name for a blog, I had to use it as the title for this post.  Please join me at Now is Gone.

Today, instead of a snippet, I want to talk about the dedication for Tough Girl.  Of course, there is a dedication to my husband.  He is wonderful.  The hubby supported me while I wrote.  I kept a job, but worked only part-time.  I didn't work at all for six moths.  He is my rock.  He is my soulmate.  He is the love of my life.  He is not the focus of this post.

Tough Girl was also dedicated to three of my high school teachers.  I've had many wonderful teachers but these three stood out as the ones that introduced me to a whole new world, and a new attitude.

Ms. O'Hara is the first teacher that taught me that it was okay to feel, okay to explore, and okay to be human.  She was funny and quick-witted but never cruel in her sarcasm.  She discussed with us the very human need for storytelling.  She talked about how we use stories to understand the world around us.  Miss O'Hara made our tedious gossip feel important.  She made our lives feel important.  For all these things and more, I am completely grateful.

Miss Martin is a very special lady.  She helped me through more than one tough time.  I've often stated that I would probably not be alive if it were not for Miss Martin, and I don't know if I've ever said truer words.  She took the time to listen to a girl too scared to make herself heard.  She listened, and she helped.  She supported me in every way possible never asking for anything in return.  She even drove me to visit the college I would eventually attend.  In class, Miss Martin introduced me to many new plays and movies and ways of approaching stories.  It's difficult to explain how amazing a person she is.  Miss Martin is one of those people you meet who revives your faith in humanity.  There are no words that can accurately describe how much I love and respect Miss Martin, and there is nothing I can do to truly repay her for the kindness she showed me.

Mr. Corbin was my senior year English teacher.  I have never, ever had a better teacher in any subject ever.  I have rarely seen a class so inspired to learn, and to argue.  Mr. Corbin is the teacher who taught me to read out of a text, and not into it.  He introduced me to Hamlet, Waiting For Godot, and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead.  I learned more in one year with him than I ever could have imagined possible.  He became my measuring stick for all other teachers.  He still is.

If you'll indulge me, I'd like to take this time to thank all teachers.  What you do is special.  You do affect your students lives.  I'm living proof.

If you've had a special teacher, one who really changed your life in some small way, please leave a comment below.  They may never see your story, but maybe another teacher will.  It's a tough job, and teachers can use all the encouragement they can get.