Lilly was my Sunday School teacher when I was in Grades 10 and 11. Yes, about the time I was falling in love with my H. Isn't she a beautiful lady? She now lives in Winnipeg, but she called me last weekend to let me know that she was in the area and would love to get together. ( She had seen an ad for the Mennonite Girls Can Cook cookbook and recognized me in the photo.) What teacher remembers her students 40 years down the road? This one does. She came over with a notebook in hand in which she had all the names and numbers of the 143 girls she taught over a period of 16 years. (We each had her for two years, overlapping with the older grade first and then the younger, in essence, doubling that number by body count.)
If I would have had the time and energy to, I could have called any one of them . . . but I kind of kept her to myself this time. Now, it may be surprising that 15 / 16 year-old girls would still go to Sunday School. In our church, at that time, they did and most of us wanted to be there because of who was teaching the class. She was single, allowed us to call her by her first name, showed interest in our lives, had us over for pajama parties and promised never tell our moms what we told her.
Lilly taught truth from God Word but she did not only do that. She lived it and loved us in spite of how we behaved. At our coffee time now, she eluded to the fact that sometimes she'd gone home and felt like the time she had spent preparing her lesson had been in vain, because we'd get side- racked with other issues - but she always tried to bring things back to what mattered and I'm sure she had more of an influence on our lives than we even realize.
Lilly got married when she was 45 and moved to Winnipeg. I had moved away by that time and so I now enjoyed hearing the love story of one who found love later on in life. She was happily married for about 25 years. Her husband sadly passed away of cancer six years ago and so she comes out West to see family and friends on her own now.
I'm so glad we could do some reminiscing together.
Next time she will send me her list ahead of time.
13 comments:
What a special visitor .... Sounds like you had a wonderful time getting to know your old Sunday school teacher again.
Oh Lily looks so kind and I can see even in her smile now that it would be easy to be her friend.
I love your story, Anneliese. How fun that she looked you up after all these years! I also have fond memories of some of my Sunday School teachers...and know a few of my favorites have passed on.
How great is that to get together with your Sunday School teacher! Love it. She is lovely...
How great to be able to visit with someone who had such an impact on your life. She looks like a darling.
It's such a special thing to be able to spend time with a teacher - especially one who touched you as Lily did.
Ohh .. how special is that!
I love her through your eyes! and yes... I agree, a very lovely lady with a heart of gold!
I too had Lily for my Sunday School teacher a few years later, and remember getting Birthday cards from her for years after.
Such a sweet lady.
Monika T
What a great story Anneliese. She is lovely indeed. So special that she took such a keen interest in each of her students!
what a sweet visit! she is lovely!
She had an impact on many of our lives. Someone who genuinely cared about us long after we were out of her class, long after we left the church we attended together, and long after she left BC. She will always have a special place in my heart! I was so sorry to not have had the time to see her this time.
What a beautiful, beautiful story.
What an encouraging post for all the Sunday School teachers out in blogland, to keep on persevering and studying to teach each Sunday. What a kind, and grateful tribute you gave this dear lady. I can't help but think that she drove away from your home, with joy in her heart. You sure did bless her by the time and words you shared with her. I was the only girl with six guys in my SS class, in my church. It would have been a dream come true, for me to be in a class of 15 girls. What fun!
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