Message in a Minute Collection

In late December, Paul and I were shuffling our way through the Elizabeth Collection, a wonderfully eclectic warehouse full of stuff and art in Rochester. In the bottom level near the space reserved for kids birthday parties and other celebrations, I heard a lovely female voice in my left ear asking; you’re Mrs. G, aren’t you? Yes, I was and still am Mrs. G, the title used by my students for all of those years teaching photography and life skills and all of the other roles we play as teachers that are not taught in graduate school. The voice belonged to a pretty red head that I recognized as Jamie, a former student and a good one at that.

How moved and happy I was to catch up with her and to have a report of her best friend, Lynne. They are both still using their photo skills, if indirectly, and becoming successful young women. Paul and I moved on to the gallery down the street featuring Ramon Santiago’s work, a Rochester artists whose career we had followed for many years.

I heard a lovely female voice in my left ear asking; you’re Mrs. G, aren’t you? Yes, standing in a space filled with wonderful paintings and prints created by Ramon Santiago, I am still Mrs. G and happier and happier for my title. There stood a pretty strawberry blond that I soon recognized as Cheryl, after some help, a former student as well. She informed me that she is still doing photography and her best friend Jessica, also a former student is still around. I had much to think about as I reminisced for the rest of the day about those students and my time in the classroom. I have experienced many encounters in the past with students and always felt elated that they would remember me and still be eager to discuss their experiences in my classroom.

Just yesterday, in Austin, Texas, Paul and I stood in an eclectic flea market, more of a bazaar with multiple vendors, I heard a lovely female voice in my left ear asking; you’re Mrs. G, aren’t you? Paul, our dear friend Leigh and her husband Patrick, the reasons for our visit to Austin stood on my right. There stood a pretty auburn-haired young woman that I soon recognized as Marti. I remembered that she loved photography but had always dreamed of working in a veterinary setting.

She told me that she is indeed working in a vet’s office and her best friend Sarah is in Austin, also in veterinary work, but has just given birth to a baby girl, so is taking time off. They are both making photos as well and will email some examples to me.