When I was little, though it's no longer evident today, I had a sevier speech impediment that I attended speech theriapy from the age of 3½ up until I turned 14... On occasion, a friend will observe how I sometimes over pronounce words, or how stedfast I am about pronouncing my words... And they'll jokingly tease me about it... Which isn't a problem... I give as much, if not more, than I get... But very few of them know a/b the 10 long years I attended speech classes...

In elementry school, I went to speech class every day for a certain amount of time with who had to be my favorite teacher of all from elementry school, Mrs. Bell. On top of that, twice weekly my Mother would take me to see Mrs. Sandy, the speech specialist at the Milistary base my father worked at... Around, I guess it was the first grade, Mrs. Sandy either retired or got stationed somewhere else, I think either her or her husband was reloacted... Anyways... After a few introductionary sessions, Chris became my new speech teacher at the base... I tried to call him a Mister or a Sir of some type, but he woudln't have it... He kept telling me that he wasn't any of thoes formalities, and to me he wanted to be Chris... Just plain ol' Cris...

After I reached mid. school, I was out of the public school speech course, and only went to the military base once a week to see Chris... I think it was every thursday... And that was my favorite day of the week... Chris and I were like long time friends and I loved our sessions... Not only would we work on my talking, but he always wanted to know waht was going on in my life, how school was, what kind of grades I was making, and any other thing we could think of to talk about... Anyways, after my medical records grew to well over two inches thick with speech reports, I was finally told I had as perfect speaking skills as one could ask for and I was released from the speech program, and sent on my jolly little way...

When someone spends so much of their time dedicated to improving an aspect of your life which benefits you greatly... You tend to form a bond... Or I know I did at least... To me they became two of the most respected and admired adults outside of my family... Yes... I know it was their job... But they weren't formal about it... They made me feel special, and encouraged me to work on my speaking skills more than anyone else... I found myself striving to make them happy... To see them smile and laugh... And as a side affect of the bond we shaired, I improved my speaking skills...

Though I doubt these people know, they thouched my heart at a very young age, and left an impression that will never be forgotton as two very loving, caring individuales who I have been graced enough to meet and get to know... And for everything they did for me, and for all the benefits I've gotten from out time spent togeather I hold them dear to me... Even today I sometimes wonder how they are and what they're doing... I know both of them are parents... Chris has a boy that's just a little younger than me... And Mrs. Bell is divorced with a set of twin boys who are prob'ly in mid. school, and her strawberry farm has grown and proven very successful...

Even though I have no idea of how to contact them... I hope they know how dearly I think of them... 1