Miss R.

Jill's Journal: Once upon a time (2nd through 12th grades), I went to a Lilliputian school. It was so small that everyone knew everyone else regardless of age or grade. A teacher at this school, known affectionately as Miss R., taught fifth grade there for two years. She was practically a child herself, being only 20 (and seriously a child prodigy, already having her master’s degree and teaching credential!). Everyone adored Miss R., known by the rest of the world as Sharon. Sadly, she wasn’t my teacher, but I knew her by reputation and by her belting out classics like “Goober Peas” through the paper-thin walls.

We reconnected a few years ago via Facebook (of course!) when Rob and I were planning this RV journey and I heard she homeschools her five children (while simultaneously pursuing her law degree; she’s quite the phenomenal woman). At the time, I didn’t know anyone who homeschooled and ventured to ask her a few questions.

This wonderful lady (she’s only 10 years my senior) and I met for a wonderful, three-hour lunch today, nearly 30 years after we crossed paths in a town 500 miles south of here. We laughed, we nearly cried, we reminisced, we shared secrets, and we just had the best time. I paraphrase, but she put it best: it was a walk down memory lane and we each made a new friend at the same time.