The most beautiful cursive I had ever seen and a grace with the chalk at the board unlike will ever be seen again. I remember Mrs. Devine fondly. She would always wear beautiful swooping skirts and the most comfortable looking sweaters over a delicate blouse and thoughtful jewelry. If I was ever early to class, I caught her routine of trotting in wearing practical tennis shoes or winter boots and changing into her formal work flats or kitten heels in the summer.
I was a bright kid. I know now.most of her letters home or complaints to my older sister were rooted in Mrs Devine having seen my potential and how I struggled with focus and applying my talents in writing. She pushed me the hardest and showed vehemently just how much she cared.
I suppose that is why I googled her today. I hope she lived a grand, full life. In my heart of hearts, however, she's still trotting in to a classroom wearing tennis shoes and changing into her kitten heels to brandish a fresh stick of chalk and writing, "Today is..."
Thank you, so much, for teaching me Irish Eyes and so many others...Rest Well 💜