A Trip Down Memory Lane - Part Seven - Inspirations

November 29th 2008

Dear Diary, along life's journey, we encounter outside influences that can take root in our heart and become our Inspirations. We were at the twins house today, talking about who and what has inspired us over time... It goes without saying that our primary Inspirations would be members of our family. However, we wanted to learn from each other who our extra inspirations were... We began by talking about movies. The girls were telling us that they enjoyed a classic. "Pollyanna" Frances narrated...

' This young girl had to live with her aunt who at first seems awful. But, as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that she's a bit of an introvert. She covers this over with a mask of steel. Pollyanna endures her circumstances by playing a game that her father taught her. It's called the " Glad game"'

' What's that? '

' It's a game that teaches you to see the silver lining on life's dark clouds. '

' Basically,' Elizabeth explained, ' if you are upset about something...like you wanted to get some work done in the garden but it's started to rain, you can be glad! Because while the weather keeps you indoors, you can complete other jobs that you may not have had time to do. Or make that phonecall you've been meaning to.... Something along those lines.'

' Hmmm, I'll have to watch that with you some time. It sounds good. '

Emily related, ' There was a movie that came out around about the time you were born. I really enjoyed it! The "Dead Poets Society" is certainly one for the writers. "We don't read and write poetry because it's cute. We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race! And the Human race is filled with passion..."'

James joined in. ' That film was brilliant! "Carpe Diem! Seize the day!" ...That's what I did with you wasn't it Em?'

' Yeah! Before the film came out!'

I commented on how mine were the Rogers and Hammerstein musicals. " The Sound of Music, State Fair, The King and I".... The song were upbeat. They told a story. They warmed the heart. They inspired me to develop my love for story telling, poetry and singing... though not too well on the vocals department. '

' What about people? Who inspired you mum? ' Emily initiated this part of the conversation with me in the hopes that it would draw the other three out...

' Well, apart from my family... When I was little, one of my primary school teachers became an inspiration. She constantly looked for the best in all of her pupils. She brought out the best in me. She played the piano for the school, often during assemblies. Her favourite animal was the camel. She was my class teacher for two and a half years. So, as you can imagine, I was heartbroken to have to say goodbye when I finished my primary years there.'

' She sounds wonderful! ' Frances admired.

' She was. I considered her a friend. I had difficulty getting on with my peers. Yet I grew easily attached to the teachers.

When I went to high school, it was the teachers again! My English teacher took an interest in me and my work. Her encouragement led to some confidence boosting experiences! The thing is, my writing skills left a lot to be desired. My spelling was atrocious and don't get me started on grammar! But she was patient and gave me opportunities to give something of myself. Something I will never forget!

There was another teacher who inspired me. She often assured me that her door was always open if I ever needed to talk. She offered her hand of friendship when I was going through a difficult patch emotionally. She deeply cared about everyone. It adds a warm glow to the memories when we see how these teachers supported and helped us. All of them! Not just the favourites... I will never forget the family atmosphere at Rochdale High! Ever! '

' Did you ever go back to see them? ' Emily inquired.

' I did once or twice. But I started to feel like I couldn't walk through that door again! Many a time I wanted to. I've never understood it! The best school in the world with the loveliest teachers... Somehow, I couldn't face them again! It upset me a lot. I held on to the hope that they would know that they weren't forgotten.....

The final inspiration who was not a member of my family at the time was your father and grandfather. He had a natural ability to deal with life's problems in an optimistic way. Even later, when he got sick, he spent more time offering me the comfort that he should have received! I learned a great deal from him about how to face hardships with grace and dignity. He taught me how to march on in the journey that is life! '

' Awe ...' Emily and Frances sighed. Elizabeth kept silent, hanging on every word.

' Well Nana! The school is as good as it was when you attended it. The warm atmosphere burns eternal as the sun. The teachers are good fun! '

' They are very down to earth. They share their personal mishaps anecdotally to put the less confident students at ease.' Elizabeth acknowledged.

' Or gave us funny nicknames because of our idiosyncrasies! They made the lessons more interesting because of their banter with the pupils. I think that this is why everyone did so well. The teachers make a difference! '

' Any funny stories? '

' Oh lots! ' Elizabeth jumped in bracing herself to tell a great deal!

' Just one each! ' Emily stalled her engine of enthusiasm before it took off. ' Nana is getting tired. '

' Okay... There was that time in PE where Frances...'

' Oh don't Eliza! That's embarrassing! '

' Oh come on! It will be a laugh. '

' Sure! If you don't mind me telling them about your "romantic moment" in the computer room? '

' Romantic! Eliza? I don't believe it! ' Emily blurted out.

Elizabeth gritted her teeth and muttered, ' It wasn't a romantic moment at all. That sort of thing was not on my agenda! '

Frances started to wind her up. ' If that's the case, you won't object to them hearing about it. '

' Okay! Tell them. See if I care. I find it all very amusing anyway! I'm getting a cup of tea. Anyone want one? ' She hurried out of the room while Frances enlightened us...

' Do you remember when Eliza won that cookery competition for the school? ( Emily and James both nodded. ) Well, the following week during one of the lessons, one of the boys was messing around on the computer... Or so it seemed. Our teacher was trying to tell the class what she wanted us to do next. Twice, she demanded his attention! By the third time, she asked him, " What has you so distracted that you cannot take your eyes off the screen and pay attention to my lesson? " Without hesitation, he responded, " Miss. There's a picture of Eliza on the school website! "'

' Yeah! ' Eliza said as she re-entered the room and the conversation as cool as a cucumber. ' In front of the whole class! I ask you! '

' And the teacher...'

' Who you'd think would overlook his comment and carry on with the lesson! '

' Ha ha! She said, " Oh! Is there something going on that I should know about? A little romance maybe? " We all found this hilarious as Eliza had made her views on this subject abundantly clear... And Eliza, she knew you well enough to know this! She was just teasing that guy! '

' But it didn't end there! Oh no. We were asked to print out the work we'd done so far. But there was no paper in the printer. She sent her assistant off to get some more and told everyone that they could just browse in the meantime. Then, she said to the class, " You do all know the school web address, don't you?" '

' Eliza looked at her in utter disbelief! She chuckled and told Eliza, " Fame comes with a price!" '

' Yeah! At which point I wanted the ground to swallow me whole! '

' It was fun though. '

' It was. She was one of my favourite teachers as well! ' We all enjoyed the giggle.

' Okay Frances, fair's fair. What happened in PE? ' Emily probed.

' Okay...okay.. but I'll tell you... We were doing a warm up session. I tried to copy the technique of the other girls when we had to skip sideways... '

' They were swinging out their arms! '

' Yes... Well, I didn't want to do it my own way for fear of looking silly. But when I got back to my line, I skipped to the back... '

' She had her socks pulled to her knees and her hair tied back in a pony tail! '

' The PE teacher said something but I couldn't hear what he said because my ears felt blocked and I was panting. I asked Eliza what he said but when she told me, I thought she was just winding me up! '

' What? Even though everyone was laughing their heads off? '

' Yeah! ... But I believed you a few lessons later when he called me "My Little Pony!" '

Well Diary, the tea sprayed everywhere!

' Tell them what happened when you were walking around school. '

' Oh yes! That was funny too! I was with a friend who was laughing about all of this. I started mimicking how he said it and warned, " if he calls me that one more time..." And guess who came round the corner just as I was saying that! '

' Not the PE teacher? ' James encouraged.

' Yeah! He nearly fell over us! We started giggling when he passed us. But I was worried that he heard me. '

' He probably did. He never called you it again, did he? '

' Ha ha! They are brilliant stories! What do you think Emily? Wouldn't they make a great feature in your newspaper? Shall we entitle them, " The Boyfriend " and " The Teachers Pony" ? '

Their jaws dropped! In unison they ordered James, ' Don't you dare! '

' Or what? ' He challenged...

Elizabeth left the room, calling Frances to join her. Less than a minute later, they were back with a bowl full of dirty dishwater! Then they warned, ' Or you get double trouble! ' they then poured it all over him and ran out of the room faster than the roadrunner from the Looney Tunes! James was shocked... He gasped... He slowly rose from his chair... Arms sticking out and legs spread wide... ' Right! That's it!' He shouted....

We watched excitedly through the living room window as the drama unfolded in the garden. On went the hose. The girls were hiding in between the hydrangeas. He cornered them. There was no escape! He completely drenched them from head to toe! There were squeaks and squeals of laughter...

Elizabeth entered the kitchen panda eyed, as her mascara had run. ' Best entertainment in years! ' Emily congratulated. As they all looked over, she snapped the comical sight. ' Another for the album! '

While everyone was getting dried and dressed, I got the kettle going and Emily dried the floor. It's just as well they don't have a carpet down in here! It would have got ruined!

The twins are kindly putting me up for the night. I'm ready for a rest after this outrageous episode!...

February 21st 2009

Dear Diary, my life has been so blurred lately that a pair of spectacles cannot fix it! Who am I?

Today has been very strange. I don't feel well! Elizabeth has been asking some peculiar questions. She was asking if I was back to normal today. When I queried Emily about it all, she informed me that for the past week, whenever I've seen Elizabeth I've acted as though she was my mother!

Apparently, I got stroppy with her yesterday because she didn't follow up on the promise that she would treat me if I was a good girl. I couldn't, wouldn't believe it! It sounded so unreal! Especially in light of the consideration that my mother passed away years ago! I don't understand it!

Emily gently conversed with me about how common these symptoms were with my illness. She reminded me that when I had these episodes, I wouldn't remember that I'd had them. Still, I insisted that next time, I would fight it and continue being me. Emily assured me that the problem didn't change who I was. She also comforted me with her promise that she would support and protect me as best she could

Diary! I've read over my entries from during these periods of confusion. They tally up to what Emily has been trying to tell me! I feel like I'm losing control of my life and my mind! My very identity is fading away and there is nothing I can do to stop it!

I took Emily's hands and declared, ' Before I go beyond the point of normality, of remembering, of being me, please know that you have enriched my life so, so much..... And I love you! '

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