GratiTuesday: Debbie Weissflug

She Loves Me, Not…

I’ve shared this story before on another website, but I’ve tweaked it because it is a tale worth sharing again. I’m not writing this to complain or get pity but to let young people (and heck, even old people) struggling today know that they’re not alone. I’m also making this my first posthumous GratiTuesday post.

Most of us will agree that middle school is probably the toughest growing up. Our bodies are changing, and our hormones are going up and down like a rollercoaster. Some adapt to these changes better than others. I did not. I was an ugly duckling through those years, as exhibited by my eighth-grade photo. But it wasn’t just my looks that left me standing with my back against the wall at most junior high dances. According to one girl, “your looks are your parents’ fault, your personality is your fault.”

Ouch, indeed. But as the years at North Jefferson Middle School went by, I looked forward to being an eighth grader. I was on the school newspaper under the guidance of Mrs. Debbie Weissflug. It was all part of a class called Creative Writing. I had a passion for writing even back then, and Mrs. Weissflug helped me express that passion and share it with others.

We organized a Heart Grams fundraiser in February of that year (1987). It was a handwritten note and a Blow Pop. We sold these ‘grams’ during lunch periods and then delivered the messages during the seventh hour of the week of Valentine’s Day.

Each day, I waited patiently to see if I’d get a message. But as you can imagine, I went home empty-handed every time despite sending a ‘gram’ of my own to my crush. On that Friday afternoon, though, I was surprised when the delivery came to me. Written in red ink was a simple message of appreciation signed ‘Mrs. W’ with a smiley face.

I went home from school that day and cried my eyes out. Looking back, I don’t remember if it was because none of my peers sent a message or if it was the kindness one teacher showed that made a difference. Now, 31 years later, that story still sticks with me like it happened yesterday.

Mrs. Weissflug died years ago, and I never had a chance to thank her for that kind act. I’m sure she had written that message to each of her Creative Writing students, but looking back, it meant the world to this lonesome loser.

There have been many teachers in my life that made an impact. But the lasting impression Mrs. W left on me restored my faith in Valentine’s Day. It’s hard to believe that I would meet my wife in college five years after this incident and never be alone on Valentine’s Day again. Based on my experience back then, I would encourage you to think of others, not just your spouse or significant other, this Valentine’s Day. One random act of kindness can go a long way this year.