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Miss Murianna Murray was an
institution in our elementary school. Most every child was
petrified of her, including me.? I was the last of 9
children and many of them going before me had left their
reputations in that school, and believe me when I say Miss
Murray never forgot a thing.?
She was
a tall, very large woman with steel gray hair.? She always
wore dresses that were long and they had high necklines and
long sleeves.? She wore a bunch of keys on a heavy string
around her neck and? you could hear her coming when she left
her office to trod down the halls from one room to another.
She wore high heels with tie strings. I had never seen that
kind of shoe before but she wore beige heavy stockings with
the shoes.
When we
heard her coming we all prayed she would be going to another
class and not ours because coming to our class usually meant
trouble for one? of us. I tell? you the truth our teachers
didn't have to? use very much punishment to keep us in line.
All it took was t he threat:? "GO to the Principals office."
? That was enough to scare the devil out of us. When we got
there, she would make us sit outside her office for a long
time to think about what we had done and what our punishment
was going to be. When she finally called us in, well, when
she called me in, my bladder was about to bust and there was
no bathroom privilege until we had seen the principal. Miss
Murray would look over those tiny glasses of hers and the
look was enough to kill.? ? Then she would discuss, as she
said, our misdeed. ? Usually the punishment was to stay after
school and clean the blackboards or write sentences or our
times tables.
I told? ? you I was the last of the children in my family and
unfortunately my family of sisters and brothers had left a
nasty taste in her mouth.? Miss Murray sent me home one
day? because of the dress I had on. It was a lovely pinafore
dress but according to Miss Murray it was indecent and I was
to go home and change it. My mother was infuriated and told
her my dress was perfectly fine and if she had a problem
with it, then it was her problem, not my mothers and
certainly not mine. I really wanted to change that dress
badly but Mama wouldn't let me so I had to wear it the rest
of the day under the scrutinizing eyes of Miss Murray.? That
afternoon Miss Murray called me out of class and asked me to
help her sew some new curtains for our auditorium stage. I
didn't know how but she taught me and for some reason? took
an interest in me from that day on. She was forever getting
me to count the lunch room money or do this or that,
whatever chore she had for me. I began to like this strange
woman.? She taught me a lot. She taught me a stitch called
the chicken stitch for hemming. She taught me the correct
way to count money, always putting the face of the paper
money up. She taught me a lot of little things I would not
have learned had she not selected me to help her like she
did.
I was
very active in school, I tried out for all the main parts in
all the plays we did and Most of them I got. I played Snow
White and sang Some Day? My Prince Will Come. I? also played
Martha Washington in a school play and Miss Amatuli, my
fourth grade teacher, used a whole can of Baby powder to
make my hair look white.?
When I was in the sixth grade I was selected to be the May
Day Queen, and I was very ill with the flu. My mother had
not shampooed my hair for a couple of weeks and she had it
in a pony tail. One of the boys in my class hurt my feelings
when he said he had never seen a Queen with her hair in a
pony tail so I ran? ? home crying and my mama used a can of
some kind of cleaner for your hair to clean it dry, she
brushed and brushed it and it did turn out lovely. I dressed
in a beautiful borrowed white dress and was back in school
ready for the May Day Parade and the dance around the May
Pole. It was so pretty. We were right across the street from
the Fire House so Miss Murray had Fire Marshall Hopkins to
come and crown me and the boy who was May King.? We had tall
crowns made of card board and aluminum foil with fake rubies
and gems of all kinds glued to the crowns, I was very proud
of my crown. When the day??™s festivities were over, right
before we were dismissed to go home, Miss Murray grabbed our
crowns and said she was going to put them up for next year.
I was so disappointed. I wanted my crown. And all those good
feelings I had for her just went away like whoosh. Yes, she
had been nice to me and given me privileges that others
didn't have but taking my crown away was the last straw and
after that I just turned against her like all the other
kids. I mean one cardboard crown and I would bet you that
they never used it again; it probably was put up and pushed
around until it was no good to anyone anymore. Children pay
attention to behavior like that. ? Maybe it was pay back for
my mama telling her off that day over my pretty pinafore
dress. I wonder.
Nanci L. Stroupe
Hampton, VA 23666
Re: Through the Eyes of a Child
Hi Bob,
Today's story "Through the eyes of a child" was written by
none other than talented writer
Margo Fallis.
I know this, because I helped edit the story for her some
time ago. Plus I know Margo and what she went through. Just
thought I would put credit where credit is definitely due.
Thanks,?
Maria Harden
(Yep, it was written by Margo
Fallis.? Every time I have every lost the name of a
writer, it's been poor Margo.? She and I have a new
arrangement whereby each time I'm unsure of an author, I'm
asking her about it. (:>).? I've made my apologies to
her and Now I make them to all of you.
Bob)
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Good Morning Bob
This was a wonderful story.? Such a tale of unselfishness
and obedience to God, even when it hurts.? And such a
beautiful ending.? It is so hard being human with our tunnel
vision.? But when we love and trust God, who sees all, the
ending is always as it should be.
Peace and Love,
Barbara Weymouth
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LOVED this.
Start a huge, foolish project like Noah.? It makes
absolutely no difference what people think of you!
~ Jelaludin Rumi?
Sam Kieffer
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Wow...what a story...I wish I knew who the author was.? It
was someone with a lot of pain for a lot of years...whether
the story was imagined or true.
Jo Ann S.
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Thru my tears I am writing to say what an absolutely,
incredible story.? What a way to start my week.? Sad but
wonderful.? So glad I do believe in happy endings.? Thank
you for such a lovely story.? I am also adopted, so I know
they don't always turn out for the best, but they sometimes
turn out better.? We can't choose our parents, but we can
choose how we live our life.? Thanks again.?
Dianne Chambers
GOD BLESS
AMERICA!!!
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This story is a WONDERFUL example of how God can turn
(seemingly) tragic events to GOOD for His glory.? We don't
always get to understand WHY things happen the way they do,
but this is such a good illustration to let someone read
when he or she is going through a bad time in life. Perhaps
we may never know how something will turn out, but that is
where our FAITH must come into play and we have to trust
that things will work out for the best,?
I'd say that "aunt/mother" was a good Ripplemaker.? I just
hope her sister will make peace with her before she dies and
the family can accept and give forgiveness.? It's a hard
situation.? God bless them all.
Nancee
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Re: Tea Party
There should be more people in this world like Johnnie!!
Nancee
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I enjoyed reading this story about Loren's wife and her tea
parties. They are a great way to help educate young children
on manners. I've done theme tea parties for kids; Noah's
Ark;
American Girl with dolls and others. I think it is the
ceremony of tea with all the pretty lace/china and silver we
enjoy and the cute things the kids say.? I'm glad to hear
others still enjoy it; my grand-gals love them too, and it
is a sweet custom we should keep alive today.
Diane White
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Bob,
This one was wonderful as usual.? You are a wonderful
editor. Can you please pass this message along to Loren
Moore.?
I thoroughly enjoyed your story "Tea Party" in today's
Starfish. It sounds like you are a very good friend of
Johnnie and possibly attended some of those Tea Parties.?
You express so much emotion and paint such a beautiful
picture.
Are there any other web sites that you write for and is it
possible to get more information about Johnnie's book or is
she still writing it.
Warmest regards,
bette
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Re: Birthday Flower Attack?
This one is a truly hilarious story.? Well written and
deserves a big round of applause.? Leona
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Ginger writes a vivid story -- I could almost smell it!!?
And what a missed opportunity by "Candid Camera!"? Good
work, Ginger!
Ellie Ramirez
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Re:? Bluebonnets, Butterflies, and Tranquility
What a joy this was today.? It has been over 50 years since
I had 4 little boys underfoot.? And I remember those times.?
But there are many blessings along with them.? Just this
morning after taking me to therapy (after a total knee
surgery 3 weeks ago) my #3 son left to go home to St Louis
after spending a whole week "mom sitting".? My sister came
from
Kentucky
to "sister sit" for a week.? My husband of almost 57 years
was suppoed to be here for me after the surgery but God had
other plans and called him home in May. Just about half an
hour ago a dear 86 year old lady who lives down stairs
brought me some 'pumpkin ice cream' dessert for my supper.?
Life is beautiful and I have a ton of memories to relive but
the Starfish today really touched my heart and a tear ran
down my cheek as I read it.? Just wanted you to know how you
touch my life.? God is so good to his children.
Kate Mackey
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I greatly enjoyed the story Bluebonnets, Butterflies, and
Tranquility, by Margo Fallis. It is a story every mother
can identify with. It brings back the memory of my own
desire to find those quiet moments of peace and tranquility.
What a vivid description she gave, of pulled back into
reality, after a short time of luxery.
Thanks for sharing it with us.
Annette Budzban?
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What a writer Margo is!!? And we all need a friend like
Ginny!
Ellie R.
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Friends like Ginny are a blessing.............
Donna Kay
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Blessings to you.? Have a great
weekend and a fantastic week ahead.
Bob Johnston
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