Mrs. Smith was so much more than my 5th-grade teacher; she was a fierce advocate for my humanity. At a time when many saw me only as a "wild beast" of a child due to the trauma of my past, she saw the person I truly was inside. She was a bridge of belief, convincing the world that I wasn't hopeless, but a human who simply needed the right circumstances and a genuine chance to grow.
I will never forget the day she freely gave me one of her own biscuits to eat. To some, it was just a snack, but to a child who had been starved nearly to death by biological parents, that simple act of kindness was a revelation. It was my first real lesson in how people in this new world—like her and my mama—could be so freely giving with their love. She proved that I was worthy of care, and I am eternally grateful for her heart.

Rest in Peace Mrs Smith