A poignant story has emerged about a teacher’s lasting impact on her student’s life, and the profound effect that kindness and encouragement can have on others. The story revolves around Mark Eklund, a young boy who was part of the teacher’s third-grade class at Saint Mary’s School in Morris, Minnesota.
Mark was a bright and cheerful student who always had a positive attitude. His teacher, who had 34 students in her class, remembered Mark fondly, recalling his neat appearance and his infectious enthusiasm. Despite his tendency to talk excessively, Mark’s sincere apologies and gratitude whenever he was corrected left a lasting impression on his teacher.
Years went by, and Mark grew into a handsome and polite young man. He eventually rejoined his teacher’s class in ninth grade, where he demonstrated a keen interest in learning and a deep respect for his teacher. However, Mark’s life was tragically cut short when he was killed in action in Vietnam.
The news of Mark’s passing was devastating to his teacher, who attended his funeral and was deeply moved by the outpouring of love and support from Mark’s friends and family. During the funeral, one of the soldiers who acted as a pallbearer approached Mark’s teacher and revealed that Mark had often spoken about her and the positive impact she had on his life.
As the mourners gathered at Chuck’s farmhouse after the funeral, Mark’s parents shared a heart-wrenching revelation. They showed Mark’s teacher a worn and folded piece of paper that had been found on Mark’s body when he was killed. The paper contained a list of kind words and praise from Mark’s classmates, which his teacher had asked them to write as a classroom exercise.
The discovery of the paper was a poignant reminder of the lasting impact that kind words and encouragement can have on others. Mark’s classmates, who had also kept their lists, were deeply moved by the realization that their words had meant so much to Mark. The story serves as a powerful reminder to appreciate and cherish the people in our lives, and to never underestimate the impact that our words and actions can have on others.
