A tribute to my greatest teacher

 

"We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude" - Cynthia Ozick

I have had many teachers along the way; some loveable and infinitely memorable, whilst others I would prefer to forget. They weren't always in the classroom and many who have made the biggest impact on my life have never held a teaching degree. Their ages range from eighteen months to 104 years and they have come in many forms: strangers, friends, family, work colleagues, even animals. I didn't always like the lessons they had to teach but in hindsight I now see they were invaluable and I would like to take this opportunity to express my boundless gratitude to all of them.

There is one however, that shines far brighter the rest and whom I would especially like to pay tribute to today. Whilst she might not be aware of it, she is the inspiration for me embarking on this journey of the social conscience, and the reason for this is twofold: firstly because she gave birth to me and without her I would not even be here today; but secondly, because she has been my most influential role model, teacher and guide in matters of love, compassion, generosity and kindness.  She above all others is the one who has instilled and inspired in me a strong desire to be good and do good and for that I will be eternally grateful.

Now I know I am slightly biased in my praise and admiration of her but I'm sure there are many others who would join me in celebrating her beautiful humanity and infectious spirit. She taught me many lessons, some spoken: "treat others the way you would want to be treated" and "play the 'glad game'"; others unspoken, such as how to look for and find the good in the world and to show kindness and compassion, leading by example. Her empathy is limitless, she shares in the joys and sorrows of anybody and everybody who touches her life, with many tears and I would hope even more laughter. She has a passion for little people and I am so proud that she now makes a living out of working in the classroom as a teacher's aide, instilling all the most important lessons in the future generations. Her enthusiasm, passion, kindness and compassion are infectious and I am so happy and grateful that she continues to spread her gifts among the many little people who are lucky enough to pass through her classroom. If everybody grew up with a little bit of Mrs Banks in their lives, the world would be an immeasurably better place.

I would like to share one example of her humanity and generous spirit that particularly stands out in my mind. Firstly I need to frame this story by saying my mother has an obsession with long hair. She has always had beautiful, golden, long hair (and probably always will) and during my childhood any suggestion of my sister or I getting our hair cut was met with unbridled shock and horror: "You have such beautiful, long hair, why would you want to cut it off??!!".

It was a couple of years ago when my mother was working in the school library, I remember her coming home and telling me about a beautiful little girl in the lower primary school who had started losing her hair. They eventually discovered that she had a rare condition and whilst it wasn't life threatening, it meant that she would lose all her hair, permanently. Mum was very distressed, not because of her love of hair but because this beautiful little person (whom she only knew from library visits) might suffer taunts and trauma during some of her most formative years as a result of this hair loss.

Less than a week later I remember Mum coming home and telling me she was going to cut off her hair, to which I immediately responded: "But you have such beautiful, long hair, why would you want to cut it off??!!". I can tell you now the reasons were her empathy, compassion, generosity and kindness: the little girl needed a wig, the cost was great and the wait was long so my Mum had decided she would donate her own hair. As it turns out they could only use uncoloured hair so in the end she got to keep her long, golden locks but I think the gesture of offering speaks just as loudly as the act itself.

I love you Mum. Thank you for teaching me the most important and valuable lessons in life. I am so proud to be your daughter. Happy Mother's Day x