Just had me a Woah moment

I was checking my facebook on my cell when I had the most peculiar friend request. It was a name I had JUST thought about not two hours previously. A name I hadn't thought of in quite some time. It was someone that I was sure I would never hear from or see again... then there they were... on Facebook. Inviting me to be her friend.

Two hours ago I sat in class, listening to a classmate give a presentation on one of the Principles of John C. Maxwell's Winning With People. Her principle focused on the people in our lives who are meant to change it or have an impact on it... both positively and negatively. She spoke of her middle school tennis coach and science teacher. A teacher who took the time to make sure she knew she was capable of anything she ever dreamed of. She concluded her presentation by challenging us to go and find that one person (or teacher if applicable) who had made a difference in our lives and to tell them thank you.

I don't know about y'all, but I have had a few teachers like that... but the one who I remember the most. The one who always made me feel like what I had to say was important... was my History teacher, Mrs. Armstrong. This woman was more than my teacher, she was my friend. I have many fond memories of visiting with her in her classroom and talking to her about the ups and downs of HS. She always had time for me, and when I was going through the tough times, she gave me one piece of advice I held onto for years... She told me that as long as I did my best, that it was good enough. And maybe I wouldn't always get the best grades or win the awards, but as long as I knew I had done my best I had nothing to be ashamed of... and to be proud of myself.

Soon after I graduated, she left my HS. I even heard she had moved out of town... and w/a name like Armstrong, you can imagine the challenge I have had googling her over the last couple of years. But that all changed not 30 minutes ago when I saw her name on Facebook, asking me if I was that same girl from JMHS.

Sure enough, I accepted her request. I took no time to punch out the most sincerest thank you letter I could write. I look forward to her response.

In the meantime, I am sitting here shocked at the timing, knowing that someone above must have heard me when I told myself that I was going to find her and thank her... because it would break my heart if she never knew how much she has meant and how much she changed my life.

I can't wait until next week, when I can share this w/my class.