Goodbye, Mrs. Bacon

When I think about my childhood, I most often think about school. I think about growing up with the same friends I've had since preschool, going through the same life experiences and watching their lives branch out in ways that make "catching up" so much fun. Middle school was the best for me, because there were no cliques, and we could still be kids. It was where I loved learning the most. The science experiments, the Spelling Bee (won 2 years in a row!), Band, playing softball. All so memorable, tucked away in that little corner of my life when little things were so important.

I also think about my teachers, and their unique ways of teaching that would eventually shape my life and love of education. Mr. Watts, who would come to class wearing sunglasses and had an odd love for Paula Abdul and Alice Cooper. Mrs. Ennis, who could put on such a mean face I get shivers just thinking about it. Mr. Edwards and "Silent Ball." Mr. Mershon, who would quiet the class by slamming a 2 x 4 on the nearest table. Mrs. McDaniel, the librarian who encouraged me to read "harder" books to expand my vocabulary. I absolutely loved her library projects!

And then there was Mrs. Bacon. 7th grade English. The entire last quarter of that year was spent diagramming sentences because she admittedly didn't care to draw up more lesson plans. She would sit at her desk on a stool and fall asleep - upright - halfway through class. She always made a point to make me feel good when I got an award like "Terrific Kids" or perfect attendance, for which she gave out chocolate candy. She seemed to care more deeply for her students, probably in part because she knew our parents so well. She was snappy, no-nonsense and lots of kids hated her. She was more like the lovable town gossip or chatty great-aunt than a teacher, but I loved her. I understood her type and I got along well with her.

This morning I was shocked and saddened to hear that Mrs. Bacon had passed away yesterday. Sparing details, she was in the wrong place at the wrong time, resulting in the kind of incident that makes you wonder how foolish and stupid people can be.

I'm sure the Angier Middle School Class of '91 won't forget her.