Angie

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angiedw
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Angie
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Marion, IL
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11/06
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Married
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Education

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Livin' Life Large

Education > Teachers > A Memory of the 70s
 

A Memory of the 70s




The Seventies brought back a memory of a special student that I had my first few years of teaching. I was rather fortunate finding a teaching position. I did my student teaching at Metropolis, and my supervising teacher was retiring that year. Upon her recommendation, I was hired for her position. I taught Junior and Senior English and an advanced writing course for seniors.

 

I wasn’t much older than my students and weighed about 102 lbs soaking wet. Since English is a required subject and four credits of English required for seniors to graduate, I had all of the upper level English students in the Junior and Senior classes. My students and I had a great time those years that I spent at Metropolis, for they were a different type, much different than the students today. And, I had a sense of humor at that time. I hadn’t become jaded with the educational system; I had enthusiasm and spirit.

 

There was this one special guy, Bonner Leonard, in my class. He always had a smile on his face and a spring in his step. He was a tall, lanky youth with the most beautiful dark brown hair and eyes. Kind eyes—the eyes of a fawn or colt just beginning its life journey. Just a funny young man, Bonner played practical jokes on all of us. And, we in turn would think of ways to get him back.

 

Bonner would always bring me little gifts, a bottle of perfume, a figurine, costume jewelry—I always thought that he might be raiding this mom’s or sister’s stash of finery to bring to me. I didn’t have the heart to decline his offer of such wonderful little gifts, for I couldn’t have stood the disappointment in his face. One day, Bonner brought me a beautiful little plant that he had place tenderly in a small pot. I thought that that was the sweetest thing that anyone had ever done. I brought the plant home and placed it in my kitchen window and nurture it carefully.  It grew so well and was so very healthy, and I was so very proud of that plant.

 

One evening, one of my school buddies stopped by the house for a visit. As we were talking, she looked in my kitchen window and saw my beautiful plant. She said, “Angie, what are you doing?”


“What do you mean?” I asked.

 

“Why are you growing marijuana in your kitchen window?” she asked.

 

Well, you can understand how I felt. That Bonner had done it again. I bet he laughed himself silly as I lovingly carried that marijuana plant out to my car.

What if I had been stopped by the police? What if DEA had stormed my house and found my plant growing so well in my kitchen window? I could have kissed by teaching career goodbye!

 

I never told Bonner that I had found out his ruse. He probably laughed for several years over my naiveté. After Bonner graduated, he began working as a prison guard. Late one night on his way home, he fell asleep at the wheel of his car, ran into a tree and was killed instantly. He was only 25 years old.

posted on Apr 24, 2008 12:03 PM ()

Comments:

That was a wonderful story, but such a sad ending. Sounds like he lived with such spirit, that God wanted to keep him for himself.
comment by mellowdee on Apr 28, 2008 12:42 PM ()
We all have special ones.
comment by elderjane on Apr 26, 2008 6:02 AM ()
Good story sad ending
comment by carrryon on Apr 25, 2008 8:19 PM ()
Oh, that is so awesome! Too funny.
comment by teacherwoman on Apr 25, 2008 10:25 AM ()
Angie, I think we always think of the first year with fond memories. I had a kid who was always teasing. He was a little mouthy on purpose so I would have to keep him after school and talk to him. I remember sitting on a desk by him and he would look at my legs! Your poor child!! I had one who was hit by a car during Christmas break. We never get over those losses, do we?
comment by sunlight on Apr 25, 2008 1:52 AM ()
that is quite a story
comment by firststarisee on Apr 24, 2008 10:01 PM ()
Wonderful story Angie. I am so sorry that he died so young.
comment by texastar on Apr 24, 2008 7:29 PM ()
That's so sad that he died...so young. He sounds like he was a joy to have in class, outside of the pot plant he gave you.
comment by hopefields on Apr 24, 2008 6:14 PM ()
How sad he had to die so young. He was obviously a guy full of fun, someone who got a kick out of life. To think that life was taken from him so early is very sad. But, look at the impression his short life made on the people who knew him, including you.
comment by donnamarie on Apr 24, 2008 3:40 PM ()
What a clever lad!! Yes, I'll bet he had many a laugh over that one. So sad that he had to die so young.
comment by redimpala on Apr 24, 2008 3:23 PM ()
A bitter/sweet memory.
comment by nittineedles on Apr 24, 2008 3:14 PM ()
oh my goodness what a sad ending...
But he sounds like such a funny guy! I love the pot plant story!
So unfortunate though that he passed so young...
comment by kristilyn3 on Apr 24, 2008 2:24 PM ()
So much needed and so sad he could not realize his potential. No doubt there are many others; that is why we must get this stupid war over. Looks like we may just do that
comment by baseeker on Apr 24, 2008 1:56 PM ()
great story-to bad about the ending.
comment by grumpy on Apr 24, 2008 12:50 PM ()
Poor Bonner
comment by fredo on Apr 24, 2008 12:27 PM ()
He sounded like quite a young man
comment by elfie33 on Apr 24, 2008 12:21 PM ()

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