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I grew up poor. Like, trailer park next to the train tracks in Texas, free lunch, shoe-sole flopping, gang graffiti on my playground poor. But as a 8yo, I didn't really pay attention to that, until 1 day in 2nd grade when I couldn't buy book at the #Scholastic Book Fair. 1/
I begged, pleaded, prayed to my Mom for a few dollars for a book. She didn't have it to spare. I ran down my street that morning in the fog, weeping, head thrown back, sobs wracking out of me. I cried all the way to school. 2/
I stood in my classroom, saying the pledge of allegiance with tears still leaking from my eyes, supping-up quietly between breaths. It was my first real heartbreak. 3/
Then my teacher, Mrs. Greenfield, called me up to talk to her at her desk. She asked me what was wrong, and I told her. Then she did something I will never forget. 4/
She pulled out her wallet. She pulled out a 20$ bill. She looked me in the eyes and said, "This is the only money I have in the whole world until payday, so I need you to be really careful with it. But I would like you to go to the Fair and pick out a book for the whole class."5/
I don't know that ever again in my life have I gone from the depths of despair to the heights of wonder so quickly & completely. My whole being filled with joy. I went to the fair with that 20$ clutched tight in my sweaty little fist. 6/
And I picked out a book about dinosaurs for 7$ for my class. Mrs. Greenfield let me sit next to her when we read it. 7/
I've tried as an adult to go back & find Mrs. Greenfield, but haven't been able to. If anyone knows someone who was a 2nd grade teacher at Anderson Elementary School in Conroe, TX in 1992-3, I would love to say thank you. #ScholasticBookFair can you help me #findMrsGreenfield ?
I have her number. We're gonna talk.
Oh, just an added bonus to this story -- we were connected through her pastor at First Baptist Conroe -- which is where I was baptized 29 years ago!
Special thank you to @wzzy @amyb140 @mazerthehazer and @jeff_berger for mobilizing the community -- y'all are amazing!!
We chatted and I immediately burst into tears the minute I heard her voice.
She is retired, but we chatted about ways we might funnel donations for books to the school for kids in need.
I'll give an update when I can!
She is retired, but we chatted about ways we might funnel donations for books to the school for kids in need.
I'll give an update when I can!
