Looking Back

Most of you know that I'm generally happy and loud. I love everyone in my life, and I love talking to them. Put me in a different environment, and I am completely introverted. If someone wanted to talk to me, they would have to make the effort to talk to me. I'm not a mean person, I am just awkward.

A few years ago, I took a speech class. I remember dreading that class. I really did not want to make any speeches, and it gives me that terrible feeling that you would usually feel when something terrible is happening whenever I think about making a public speech.

I expected to hate the class, but I ended up loving it. Looking back, I know it's because I had a teacher that was very understanding and fun. She made speaking in front of the class painless, and I actually learned a lot about myself. I became a better communicator, and learned what was appropriate to say in different situations.

I am the type of person who looks up the reviews of teachers before I take the class, so I often get classes that aren't too terrible, but are also not too memorable. I usually never remember the teacher after I have completed the class, but I actually remember my speech teacher, and a lot of the conversations we had. (and believe me... not many teachers have inspired me.) Ms. Hondo was a brilliant teacher, and she took the time to ask me about my yoga class (she saw my mat) every week, we chatted about what we looked for in guys, and I can still hear her laugh.

A few months ago I found out she died, and I was horrified. She was barely 39, and had two daughters that she would always speak so lovingly of. I thought with time that I would be ok with it, but I never was. My art class is right next to her old classroom, and I used to peak in there to see if she was there before I found out about her death. (If you must know how she died, you can look up Kesha Hondo)

Someone else I was very fond of died a few years ago, and I am often sad thinking about how much of an impact they had on me, but how I don't think they ever knew it. Maybe I'm feeling especially sentimental right now. Every time I think of them, I say a little prayer.