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At the
"Come as your favorite teacher" party, I knew in advance
that all the guests were coming dressed as Ann--oversized
muumuus, long strands of beads, glasses tucked in our
hair Date: Sat,
13 Jul 2002 I know that
Ann had a profound effect on us all and I have still not
come to grips that she is not there physically for me to
visit. I would like
to share many stories about Ann, but today this one sticks
in my mind. While I was
attending University I lived in Waianae, too far away to
host a party for student friends. So Ann would lend me her
space. At the "Come as your favorite teacher" party, I knew
in advance that all the guests were coming dressed as
Ann--oversized muumuus, long strands of beads, glasses
tucked in our hair. It was to be a surprise and there had
been days of giggling preparations. I arrived
early to set things up and was dismayed when I found Ann in
bed with a migraine. Although I felt sorry for her I felt
sorrier for myself. This party was to show her how much we
all loved her and she was going to be in bed! I could tell
she would rather we didn't have the party, but I begged and
figured she would give in and come out as soon as she knew
how much fun she was missing. So I asked
her if there was anything I could do, short of cancelling
the affair. She scowled, agreed we could continue, but
wanted me to clean the place. I started with the vacuuming
because it was something I thought Ann always did before
company arrived -- or at least I thought she did as I
remember seeing the vacuum cleaner lines on the carpet. As I
started on the rug, Ann came out of her room, her glasses
perched low on her nose, and I knew immediately that she was
not pleased. She looked at how far I had gotten on cleaning
the place and headed back to her room. As she sat down on
her bed she said she'd let me in on a little secret--all
those times I thought she had cleaned for the party she had
instead, "turned off the power and just run the brush back
and forth to make vacuum cleaner lines." People appreciate
that you've fussed. The guests
arrived, Ann made an appearance, saw herself in our eyes,
and went back to bed. I knew her secret. I also knew that on
that night and many others Ann slept to the sound of
laughter, students arguing, students hoping that someday
they would be like her. She slept knowing that her students
loved her. We went home knowing also that she loved us.
That's a great way to have lived. I love you
Ann. Lynette
Mallery Head,
Publications Unit