So Well

Some people say,

      “Your gains determine your value.”

      “Success defines you.”

      “What you do makes you who you are.”

Well,

      some people

      have it all wrong.

For it is…

…your values

that determine your gain;

…how you define yourself

that makes you a success;

…who you are

that shapes what you do.

And you,

Mrs. Austin,

You are a teacher.

We, your pupils, say,

“Thank you;

Thank you for being

who you are

so well.”

by Brian Shivers

May 2002

Written in honor of Loise Austin, my mother-in-law.  One of the best teachers the world has ever known.