I remember her words, almost as if they were spoken yesterday.
Mrs.Mabel Price, our high school teacher in that little town of Westminster, in Western Maryland, said,
“You belong in college, and I'm going to do everything I can to get you there.” For me, college was something out of the question, something on a far distant planet, something only， those people who had special rights did. I said, ”I can't go to college because I don't have the money. There's no way I could afford it. I'm going to join the army.”
Even though I was graduating at the top of my class in that small town, and enjoyed the experience of learning and thinking, I was used to a long tradition of experience in my family. We were people of limited means, and three of my four older brothers had gone off to join the army.
“Being an army man is a perfectly respectable way of life, ”she said, ”but you have a gift that can make a difference in the world. I want you to continue your education. I think I can get you into Johns Hopkins University. And I'm working on the money. ”Finally, I was off to college.
One day I was walking from the parking lot to my first class, talking with my friend and classmate, and we passed by a group of men who were digging a deep ditch(沟渠)。Suddenly, I knew why I was in college. She was right-I had been given a gift that could take me to wonderful places. I decided then and there that I preferred to make my living with my brain rather than my back. I had been given a choice they didn't have an education.
Some years ago, as I reflected on the experience for many times, it occurred to me: ”Maybe I could locate Mrs.Price. Maybe she's still living in Westminster. I could go back there and visit her, bring her a gift, and really let her know how much I'm thankful for what she had done for me.”
So, I began to search online for information about where she might be. I soon discovered an article about her death, published in the Baltimore Sun and dated October 8,2001.
I suppose the lesson for me in this story-or one of the lessons-is this: If you love someone; if you thank them; if you're grateful to them-tell them now. One day it will be too late.
Well...anyway...Mrs.Price, wherever you are-thank you.
