I Just Want To Tell You The Truth

For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of His mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous; He is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. He keepeth the paths of judgement, and preserveth the way of His saints. Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgement, and equity; yea every good path. When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee: To deliver thee from the way of the evil man. ( Proverbs 2:6-12)

Education becomes a part of our lives not only in the form of academic learning but knowledge we gain from lessons in life too. I've always enjoyed learning and I loved going to school everyday because I would challenge myself to learn something new. That included various aspects about life as well because I always thought of myself as bright and mature for my age. I always wanted to be around adults or older kids because I enjoyed listening to and conversating with them during my youth and even today. I am a fast learner due to my photographic memory. All I have to do is listen to you or watch and I will repeat it note for note or action. My father passed it on to me and I passed the same skill over to my son Elijah. I can recall events from as early as the age of three, so can my son. It is amazing to see him read something once and he memorizes it from start to finish.

In order to provide you with an example of how my photographic memory works I am going to start at the age of four and go through every teacher I had from kindergarten to college who taught me a good academic or life lesson. Age four I want to thank Delois McGhee(Foy) for sitting with me at home and teaching me how to read and write the alphabet. I just wanted to tell you that I still draw my letter "B" with a line and a backwards number three that you showed me to do thirty eight years ago. Kindergarten I want to thank you Mrs. Neufreo for teaching me how to spell and write my real name Gerald instead of me thinking my nickname "TODO" was my real name. Considering everybody in my family and close friends never called me Gerald I went to school not even knowing my real first name. First grade I want to thank Mrs. Mars for taking me and Wayne Wiggins on a weekend field trip to Johnson Farm in Piqua,Ohio and later that day out to lunch and to the thrift store to buy the large pack of little green army men that I played with for weeks afterwards.

Second grade Mrs. Everett for giving me the ability to do speed math and solve my pluses, minuses and multiplication tables with speed and accuracy. Third grade Mrs. Berger for teaching me how to write complete sentences and to utilize proper english in my stories. Fourth grade Mrs. Thompson for helping me to control my temper and emotions whenever I lost in sports or wasn't able to solve a problem on my own. Fifth grade there are two teachers I want to thank Mrs. Painter(Black) and Mr. Asbury. As for Mrs. Painter I want to thank you for allowing Chris Haynes a local football star who went on to play for Notre Dame come speak to our class about the importance of doing well in school and sharing his national championship ring. Thank you as well for taking me to the office to talk with the Principal Mr. Marcum, who got me enrolled into the Big Brother/Big Sisters program in Sidney due to the struggles I was having with my parents divorce. Thank you Mr. Asbury for electing me to be a part of your Model Rocket Club and giving me a cool hobby that required a work ethic and patience in order to achieve good results.

Sixth grade thanks Mr.Knouff for teaching how to stay focused when talkative friends such as Kevin Richardson were attempting to distract me while you were teaching. Seventh grade Mr.Conklin for all of your good humored jokes and military stories that kept me interested in world events and not just life in Sidney. Eighth grade thanks Mrs.Harlamert for giving me the gift of enjoying jazz music by playing Spira Jira albums during music class, God Bless you and may you rest in peace.

Ninth grade thanks Mrs.Wildermuth for teaching me how to speed read in your class as well as for opening your heart and home to me. I love you dearly and I still drink plenty of orange juice during breakfast. Tenth grade Mrs.Thomas for teaching me how to type I have not lost that skill and I know it is because of the passion and patience you exhibited while teaching. Eleventh grade to Mr.Niekirk for being the most knowledgeable American History teacher. You made learning so fun and your calm demeanor motivated me to want to teach history as well. Twelfth grade I want to thank the entire kitchen staff for allowing me to work with you ladies especially Mrs. Detheridge, all of the extra cookies, pizzas and milk went a long ways. To my French teacher madame for the gift of learning a foreign language and I wish I had enough money to have traveled to France during the summer with your groups of students.