Day 62: Ms. Healy

Lemon Curd and Raspberry Tart

Try as I might, when I think back to my high school days the term “literature” is not prominent. The song, by Sam Cooke comes to mind – Don’t know much about history, don’t know much biology… Though I took the required “English” classes, I don’t remember my teachers trying to make the books that we read come alive for me. I can only wonder how my life might have been different had I really been inspired to delve into the book lists that we were given.

My son took an Advanced Placement Literature class at Ashland High School this past year. At times he would want to discuss the books that he was reading (Moby Dick,for example) but I had to tell him that I had not read it. While I knew bits and pieces of the stories, I had not spent much time in high school reading the classics. I am impressed that my son immersed himself in his books. Even when he had a lot going on, he would stay up late to finish his reading.

While part of the reason for that has to do with his own work ethic, there is another important contributing factor. I want to recognize his teacher, Ms. Healy, for challenging her students to truly understand the various works that they read and for bringing the characters to life. How wonderful for her students that she put forth the effort to do that. I am so grateful to her for giving them that gift.