Thomas Wolfe said, "You can't go home again", but today I got so close.

My beautiful niece, Hayley, began 7th grade today. She's had more than a few academic rough spots. She has been labeled as 'difficult'. Some teachers would rather not deal with her, I'm sure.

A few carefully placed comments and more than a few prayers brought good results. She was placed in Mrs. B's class.

Mrs. B was my 6th grade teacher. She expected no less than your best and she would torture you to get it. Sometimes that torture came in the form of foreign root words and their meanings written 20 times. Sometimes that torture came in the form of a bear hug and a whisper. She is one of the people who shaped the person I am today.

As I watched Hayley settling into her new environment, I couldn't help but think of myself 24 years ago. I was awkward, chunky, smart but unsure of myself. I made decisions later in life that were greatly impacted by that year. I made choices. I decided who I would become. I see Hayley moving toward that revelation and it makes my heart sing.

I suppose Mr. Wolfe was correct. You can't go home again, but if it's all the same to him I'll sit here by the widow and watch it all unfold again.