Five, Four, Three——-Two——-One—ring, ring, and ring.
Yes!
The recess bell and 90 kids stampede for the freedom of the great outdoors!
Bursting through the door, taking a deep breath of fresh air, standing, looking — where is it?
Come on don’t be late! Don’t be late, we won’t have enough time.
There it comes, the little yellow minibus with the one student left on it. Yes, there he is—–careful now don’t fall!
Why worry he is as capable as you and I. He has adjusted so well, I guess when you are born that way you really do not know anything different.
“Hi, Tommy, How has your day gone?”
“Good, usual spot?”
“Yes, it’s open and sunny today. We won’t have to go inside for a while yet.
Did you bring your book?”
“Its right here!” as he pats his satchel.
Feeling his way with the long black stick, Tap, tap, back and forth as he walks, counting each step carefully, dropping to his favorite resting spot beside the door but just enough off the sidewalk to be out of the way, Tommy pulls out the storybook, opens it and holds out his hand for hers.
She sits cross-legged beside him and gently moves her fingers beneath his palm indicating she is ready for the lesson. Though he is a bit younger then she, he proves to be a good teacher. Showing her how to lightly touch—so as to feel the dots better, with one hand he gently guides hers and with the other, he too touches the dots as they begin to read. It is not the story; so much as the thrill of knowing one can read in this fashion, that keeps her interested.
As her hand drops and her head shakes, Tommy asked, “What’s wrong?”
15 minutes can’t have gone by already!
Then the thundering of feet is felt through the ground as the kid’s line up, he also knows the time is up.
Waiting as long as possible she says “See you tomorrow!” and joins the kids and follows them inside.
Once inside she sits at her desk, watching out the window for the larger bus that will pick Tommy up and glances at the door to make sure he is safe until it comes. It is so hard to concentrate on her third-grade studies.
A dream forms in her mind and by the time half the year is through she knows that dream has taken hold and planted roots.
When asked what she wants to do when she grows up the answer is always the same.
“Be a teacher for handicap kids!”
The Rest of the Story
As years pass the dream stays rooted deeply within. 
Seven years and opportunity drops in her path, while registering for her sophomore year in high school. There is a class that is a two-hour block of work-study with the daycare program and students are allowed half a year helping run a daycare and half a year working in an elementary school. With a few inquiries and a little persuasive talk, permission is granted to contact the Learning Center. They finally agree she can do the program there all year.
A bright sunny morning, a pleasant drive, a timid walk up the stairs and a feeling of being lost, as she stands looking around, Awe a pleasant smile but a stern voice.
“You must be Darley— Come with me!”
She follows not sure what she has gotten into, only knowing her dreams are coming true.
“This is Estella you will be working with her as her aide.”
The lady with the stern voice is gone.
Estella is a very kind pleasant teacher with about ten students with various needs, including this young girl who has come to help. The girl looks like a scared rabbit but she also has a compassionate look that could help or hurt her.
Estelle takes her under her wing and teaches her much of what she needs to learn not only about working with the handicapped but about the stern voiced lady and life itself. Five years later they are all good friends and saying goodbye is hard to do. The students make her a beautiful cradle in the wood-shop and present it as their parting gift so she will always remember!
She has never forgotten!
Renette Steele
Lady SONshine
What was your dream?
Did it come to pass?
You are never too old to have a new dream. What can you do today to pursue your dreams?