Joan O'Brian.
My High School English Teacher 1989-1991.
O'Bry as we called her, was a saint for putting up with us. She was the first teacher who ever actually believed in me (for reasons still a mystery to me), and it was due to her patience and guidance that I was able to find my place in school. She taught me about personal responsibility (a lesson that sadly I have to re-learn every few years... sigh) and about the payoff of hard work and dedication.
Whenever I would **** up, she would tell me: Alex, you had a choice. You may not have liked the options, but in the end you chose the course that you're taking.
Years later, after I had spent 5 years in the Navy, and a few others in school, I was working at the library in my home town. O'Bry came in, and she had some books to turn in. It was one of the greatest days of my life. O'Bry had an overdue library book. So I told her: Now Joan, you had a choice when you checked out this book. You could either return it on time, or you could pay the fine for bringing it in late. Now, you may not have liked those choices, but you have chosen this course.
I sent her back to the car to get the dime that she owed me.
Anyhow, I love that lady, and I could never repay the debt that I owe her.
-Sik
