“If There’s Any Money Left Over…”

I am a little bit frustrated at the fact that I cannot read as quickly as I used to! I was hoping to finish the book I’m reading today but my eyes let me know that I needed to stop ringing. I am very much enjoying, The Gratitude Diaries!

In my reading today, Kaplan talked about Dr. Jacano. He is a renowned plastic surgeon and he goes to Laos to give children free cleft lip surgery annually. The moment I read that, I thought fondly of the student I had so many years ago! He’s got to be 24 now and I don’t know if he’s had surgery about it or not but I really hope he has! It was actually Sean who reminded me of this story.

It had to be during my first two years teaching English when I posed a question to my students. It was for, “Writing Wednesday” and I asked them what they would do if they we’re given $100,000. For extra credit, the students could volunteer to read their writing to the class and to give the class opportunity to hear it. I really liked it! It went with all aspects of the GLCE’s that we were supposed to be teaching at the time. (Reading, Writing, Speaking, Listening – if I remember correctly)

Then, I had a student volunteer to read his writing that really affected me! I can’t remember his name but I can see his face and his glasses. He had a cleft lip. He went right into how he would spend his $100,000. He talked about paying bills for his parents, buying them a house, I think he said he would buy them a car, and then he ended his essay with a sentence that made me gasp and bite my lower lip and will myself NOT to cry!

He ended his essay with, “If there’s any money left over, I will get my lip fixed.” I remember telling my mom about that essay when I got home and Sean must’ve overheard it when he was in his room. He reminded me of that story I told him not too long ago and again it made me cry just like writing this post made me cry also!