After struggling to come up with something creative to tie in with Star Wars, I figured I’d share this amazing story about my Mom and one of her former students.
My Mom was a big Star Wars fan. She was also a huge Harrison Ford fan. This was known to her students.
One thing I admired about my mom was how well she got to know her students. She would share things about them to me so I felt like I too got to know these students through what she would she would share.
And what she would share was good stuff. I have this student and you wouldn’t believe how good at art she is or what a great writer she is. Things along those lines.
I remember her telling me about one student who was very artistic. She knew this student continued to do well in art and was pursuing this in college.
Flash forward years later and word reached many former students that mom was dying. Around this time I got a message from this former artistic student whose Facebook name confused me trying to get a hold of my mom. She wanted to see my
mom. I’m thinking now really isn’t that time, she’s literally on her deathbed.
It turns out this student wanted to see her because she had a painting for her. She had started this painting a year ago and when she heard about mom rushed to finish it for her. And she was able to deliver the final product to my mom before she passed.
The painting was of Han Solo, or Harrison Ford, my mom’s favorite actor in one of her favorite movies, Star Wars. The painting was amazing and so incredibly thoughtful. I was blown away and really touched. All these years later and this student still remembered all this about my mom and cared enough to make this painting for her. Just wow.
The painting is still at my dad’s house as my brother and I both wanted to take it with us. It’s really a beautiful piece that will always remind of us of our Harrison Ford and Star Wars loving mom. (The picture with this article is of the painting.)
My mom taught fourth grade and I’m in awe of how influential she was on some of her former students. We tend to remember high school or late middle school teachers more than early elementary school teaches just because we had them later and closer to college. But I know my mom loved what she did and her enthusiasm, creativity and passion left an influence on many students and I’m so proud of all she accomplished during her teaching career.
So since I couldn’t come up with anything creative for Star Wars Day, aka May the 4th, I thought it was a good time to share this incredible story that is so fitting for my mom.
And May the 4th be with you all!
