My friend, Peggy

Today they are burying my friend, Peggy Jones. She was a teacher for at least 40 years and most of those as the fourth grade teacher at Slidell Elementary School.

Peggy inspired me. She had principles and she stood on those principles. She stood by me and supported me once while I stood on my principles and, she was the only one who did.

Peggy inspired and loved children. She once told me, “Children are so very brave.”

Peggy was a different kind of teacher. In all her years of teaching, she never once sent a student to the office. She handled those matters herself and she was brilliant at it! She turned everything into a positive and left each child feeling better about themselves.

Here’s how Peggy handled tardiness: Every year she had several students who decided to extend their playtime after recess was over. That’s when Peggy took out her big bag of M&M’s. After recess, she quickly distributed all the M&M’s to the students who were in their seats. She was always sincerely sympathetic when the tardy students learned that they didn’t make it in time for the M&M’s. She didn’t have to pass out M&M’s often because students soon learned that there was never any telling what delights they might miss if they were late to Peggy’s class.

I’m not a funeral goer. Peggy knew that about me and, although she always attended the community funerals, she approved of my choice.

I have so many incredible memories of Peggy. That’s the way I want to remember her.

Peggy Jones was a miracle in my life.