The following is from Tim Norton, re: his mother and my second-grade teacher. See: My last post, “A Serendipitous Chance to Remember Mrs. Norton.” Deeply touched, Tim, and hug your mom for me.

“Tim, Your kind words were shared by me here at Creighton University as a tribute to all teachers (professors, TA, Adjunct, etc.) in the classroom and otherwise.

“As I thought about the positive influence you wrote of and the comfort realized during those early years of your development, I think back to those days myself. My parents, Tom and Alice (Mrs. Norton), set the bar high for my sisters and me, and I’ve spent my life trying to emulate their kind and generous behavior toward others.

“Parents are teachers by nature, and lessons learned over the years resonate daily with me through my interaction at home, work and in the community.

“Am I always successful, no, but as the saying goes, ‘I learned what not to do,’ which can be applicable to so many situations.

“Mrs. Norton was a teacher inside that small classroom where you first met and has continued teaching her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, friends and neighbors, lessons of acceptance, gratitude and most importantly, kindness.”