We Are the Pirates, the Mighty, Mighty Pirates

EVERYWHERE WE GOOO, PEOPLE WANNA KNOW...

LaVega High School, Bellmead, Texas. That was our local high school back in 'our day'. Blue and gold colors, the mighty Pirate mascot, H.P. Miles...favorite band director/author of our School Song and more... and many interesting teachers and events within those walls.
One other favorite teacher comes to mind instantly when I think of LaVega High School. Her name was Mrs. Mabel Legg, Senior English Teacher, mentor and warrior. She had a mind that retained every detail, high expectations for all and the softest smile and voice of any. In all of our Literature studies, rarely did Mabel Legg ever look at her book. Why, you wonder? She had most of the material memorized up, down, forward and backward.
If you named any object on earth, she could instantly recite a poem whether from another author or from her quick, talented gray matter. She wanted her students to excel, to learn and to perform at the ultimate limit of their capabilities. And, we did.
Yes, by the time I had Mrs. Legg, she was older and often, she sat at her desk with her weathered, soft hands together providing a 'resting' place for her chin. Her eyes would be closed and she would sit in silence as we worked. Her room meant pay attention, do your work and above all, score high on tests. You never wanted to disappoint Mabel Legg.
We diagrammed challenging sentences, recited "Whan that Aprille with the...", studied literature until we turned blue in the face, but when it was all said and done...we were SMART!! I had great admiration for her, feared her as I entered my Senior year, loved her as I graduated and thanked her many times throughout life for the strength and persevering attitude I developed due to her classroom. I sent her a letter in the 1990's to thank her and acknowledge her tremendous abilities one more time. She was 99 at that time.
She replied to my letter (4 pages, hand written) and built my confidence more with her kind words and memories of our LaVega days together on the second floor of the old, red brick school house. Many of her students today remain respectful and hold her in high esteem. Although she was an exceptional leader, teacher and more...we found one thing curious about Mabel Legg. That was her husband, Harry. YEP...Harry Legg!! True, and it made us smile often as we whispered about Mabel and Harry!!
You see when I hesitate to remember the places I've been (none too great or magnificent) in life, I can't help but pause to remember all of the strong leaders who touched my life in some way. As they worked with us, they steeped us in respect, enabled us to develop the desire to achieve and experience the excellence of commitment to the end. I wish we had more of those folks around today's students in schools.
Bottom line for me and Mabel...she is one of the reasons I have accomplished some remarkable things in life. Life experiences mold us and shape our destiny, in my opinion. If we are steeped in the 'good stuff' and are willing to buckle down and conquer the odds, we can achieve all things and feel a sense of pride in all we do.
Mabel Legg is simply one more reason I am able to think about the coming months, tighten the shoe laces and ready the body to move into action. The feeling of success is a great emotion. The desire to become better is a strong source of strength. As the six month window begins to slowly slide into a closed and ready position for me, I am gaining momentum.
All things are possible, we simply have to plan the plan and work the plan.