Thank You Card from Mr. Topolewski

Life, Memories

In 1974 I was minding my own business in the fabric section of our local Ben Franklin where I worked. A tall man approached me and asked if I’d be willing to help him play a practical joke on his son for his son’s 18th birthday. Apparently just as he left the house to go shopping he called to his son and asked if there was anything he’d like his dad to pick up at Ben Franklin. The son allegedly replied, “Yeah, bring me a cute checkout girl.” After some internal debate (and checking in with my parents) I decided to go ahead and do it.

The plan was for me to wear my uniform to their house and have dinner with the family after being introduced as Dan’s birthday present. Then I’d stick around and attend a basketball game, then stay for a party at their house.

It turned out fine in retrospect — although I told my journal a different story — and I had a fun story to tell people throughout the years.

I appreciation, Mr. Topolewski gave me this card along with a necklace with a dove of hope.

Thanks a whole bunch!

Donna!

Thanks for making my son’s 18th birthday one he’ll never forget.

You’re a good sport and have a great sense of humor.

Mr Topolelski

Sadly Mr. Topolewski passed away a couple of years after that. I blogged about him on my first 365 project.

Clare’s Opinion of her Mom

Family, Memories, Writing

My mom is middle size. She used to have long hair but she cut it. It is brown just like mine and wiggly but she tries to make it straight. She has brown sparkly eyes. Sometimes she cooks waffle pancakes for me and they are my favorite. She works in a school and teaches students. When I go to her work I draw pictures and I go outside to play there. I appreciate that she makes my lunch every day. My favorite time with my mom is playing with her on the weekend. I love my mom very much. My mom is special to me because she helps me with my homework. Clare

One of my better bulletin boards

Memories, Work, , ,

Imagine if you will, a bulletin board in a classroom in a school for students with behavior issues. Imagine the bulletin board contained several pieces of construction paper shaped like helium balloons. Imagine the balloon shapes each contained a school guideline/rule. Now imagine photos of each student, the teacher, and assistant, each holding their arm in the air, like this one:

Me, aged somewhere between 26 and 29

Then imagine a piece of yarn attached to the hands in the photo and attached to a single string that tied all the balloons together.

This was a bulletin board I created one year to represent that each one of us was responsible for upholding the classroom/school rules/guidelines.

At the end of the year we each received our photo, on which everyone in class wrote something nice about the person depicted in the photo.

I don’t know if the bulletin board was helpful in insuring the students followed the rules, but it certainly looked good!

I might have a photo of it somewhere. I’ll add it to this post if I find it.