Dorothy’s Place: Names and Memories

By Dorothy Denne

When you teach school as long as I did, names take on special meaning to you. Just hearing a particular name can trigger a stream of memories, some good – some not so good. John is one of those. It is definitely a name that belongs in my happy memories file.

One little John that I especially remember is a great example of how easily children can both amaze and be amazed. I had taken my elementary school class of mentally gifted students to the Amtrak station as part of a field trip. At the time John was six years old and just starting in the second grade group. He was especially small, especially bright, and always amazing.

My friend had accompanied us as an adult chaperone. John clung to her hand as the guide explained the operation of the big engine. He gave a little tug, looked up at her with wondrous dark eyes, and whispered, “Mrs. Kammuellar, can you imagine, with such tremendous horsepower, the terrific wind velocity when they are traveling at maximum speed?” My friend was rendered temporarily speechless so little John looked at me, shrugged his shoulders, and said simply, “Huh, I guess she can’t imagine it.”

John is also proof that love is real. He was a thoughtful little child. Later in the year, as my birthday approached, his mom warned me ahead of time that he had used his own allowance money to buy me a “Topaz” birthstone ring. On the big day, he gave it to me with all his love and stood beaming as I ooo-ed and aaah-ed. One of the older, less thoughtful boys said, “Aahh, it’s only a fake.” Poor little John stood crestfallen.

Not one to be easily daunted, he suddenly brightened, lifted his head, stuck out his chin and proudly announced, “Well, it’s a real fake!”

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