Message From My Daughter

So… during basketball season… our manager, Anna,
             would sit by me on the bench.

After Christmas, 
I told her about Nana drawing with charcoals. 
I told her about how I wanted to buy her charcoals 
             so she would draw again. 
I told Anna about how Nana won’t draw anymore 
             because she used to draw…
                          when Papa was sick. 

             (I was telling Anna all of this because she likes to draw
             and mentioned she likes charcoals the best)……..
 	           All that being said…

Anna gave me the most beautiful charcoal drawing 
            of a basketball on a wooden floor.
It is framed and really big. 
You can tell that she put time into it 
            and really wanted it to be pretty. 
When I opened it in class today, 
            I was so surprised…… 
                           and told her it was beautiful. 

She smiled at me and said, 

            “I drew that because of the story you told 
             me about your grandma.”

I bawled like a little kid. 

Just that the story would influence her, and 
              inspire her to draw that for me. 

It is awesome.

I had forgotten that we even talked about drawing……. 
             She didn’t. 
                            That story meant something to her.

 And that is why people teach.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2010

Poem

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Gist Avatar
August 9, 2018 at 4:05 PM
Written so long ago yet still like yesterday. Good Vibes.
Merryman Avatar
February 26, 2013 at 12:41 PM
So touching! Congrats on your win, Ray! Love, Kim
Andresen Avatar
February 25, 2013 at 3:15 AM
A very good poem to send to the contest and you won! - Congratulations! - Have a lovely new week! - oxox / / Anne-Lise :)
A   Avatar
February 24, 2013 at 9:34 PM
Ray, , thank you for SUPPORTING MY NEWEST contest...CONGRATULATIONS on your awesome win ;-) LINDA
Richards Avatar
March 22, 2010 at 8:47 AM
What a touching story, of father/daughter love, and a family legacy. I love this, Ray, and I can see you have the same feeling of family that I feel about mine. I have written stories quite like this too, in my poetry....we have similar tastes in what is important, I do believe. Thanks so much for the soup -mail...I have replied to yours :)
Palli Avatar
March 14, 2010 at 8:00 AM
Loved this heart-warming story.
Sweetheart Avatar
March 13, 2010 at 7:35 PM
SOUP MAIL Ray.. finished product... let me know asap.. so we can both post ...luv.."Sweetheart"
Kendrick Avatar
March 13, 2010 at 2:58 PM
Interesting write...Some people just need a little encouragement. Keep the creative pen flowing. Sara
Sweetheart Avatar
March 13, 2010 at 1:27 PM
SOUP MAIl Ray... system error so I could not open last one sent to me...luv.
Sweetheart Avatar
March 13, 2010 at 4:49 AM
SOUP MAIL ..Ray .. please check..
Devonshire Avatar
March 12, 2010 at 7:33 AM
What a wonderful gift you received from your daughter, Ray. If you are a teacher, you know that not all students will remember the messages you share. But sometimes it only take a special effort by one student to make a teacher's day. At least that's how I felt when teaching. Great poem, very uplifting! Love, Carolyn
Sweetheart Avatar
March 11, 2010 at 9:24 PM
A teacher's reward Ray and makes u feel good knowing how deeply u touched one of your students... emotional and caring write.. enjoyed this "beauty" .. Friday is fine.. luv.. "Sweetheart"
Drover Avatar
March 11, 2010 at 9:51 AM
This almost made ME cry. Wonderful poetic story. You have real talent.
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