What's New For 2012? (PT 3)

     As I stepped from the bus I was confronted face-to-face by Mr. Solomon. Little did I know my life was about to change. He looked up at me and with his giant Jewish smile said, "Bill Spears you will read the Bible this morning. Follow me!" He turned quickly and started toward the auditorium while I ran along beside him. "But, Mr. Solomon, please, please don't do this to me. I can't read. I'll be late for homeroom and get in trouble. I'll.." Mr. Solomon was not hearing me. It was no use. I would have to read the Bible over the intercom. My mind raced toward all the negative possibilities. What if I messed up? What would my buddies say about me reading the Bible. Who would make fun of me? What would happen to me when I showed up late for homeroom?

     Soon I was standing in front of the large lectern holding a giant Bible, opened to the Old Testament Psalms. Mr. Solomon pointed to a Psalm and said, "You will read that Psalm in it's entirety, do you understand?" I nodded. My mouth was already full of cotton and my throat was as dry and squeaky as a wagon wheel. I remember the uncompromising fear engulfing me. Then I was reading. Finished, I raced out of the office and up two flights of stairs to Mr. Cockerham's room. I stood at the back door and listened for her voice.

And then it happened.....Mrs. Cockerham.

What's New For 2012? (PT 2)

     Don't get me wrong. I'm not throwing rocks at anyone, especially my daddy. He and momma did the best they could. He knew only one way of helping his children do good. Beat the living hell out of them if they did not. I do not hold it against him. What we experience we practice. What we practice we learn. What we learn we become. What we become has consequences. That was true of Daddy and it is true of me. He gave me what was given him. Don't forget that part. I'll say it again. He gave me what was given him.

"I will bless you and you will be a blessing"  Yahweh to Abraham.

     Mrs. Cockerham was an elderly (in late fifties, early sixties) history teacher at E.E. Bass Jr. High School. She and her sister, Mrs. Something, were rather colorful ole girls. Full of vim, vigor, opinions and Falstaff. On the very first day of my second year in the 7th grade, I jumped off the school bus only to be confronted by Mr. H.W. Solomon. This small man was the most prim and proper gentleman that I had ever met. He wore tailored suits to school. His shoes were always glowing with shine. He did not have much hair, but what he did have was never out of place. His mantra was, "A word to the wise is sufficient, my friend". He chose his words as carefully as if they were missiles of meaning. He was a prince of a gentleman and a robust scholar.

     Mr. Solomon stood on the curb every morning, rain or shine, watching us step from the buses and hurry to the auditorium where he would meet us for opening assembly. There he would offer us some encouragement, usually in the form of a story. Upon being dismissed we would then hurry along to our homeroom class and sit quietly waiting for Mr. Solomon's voice to come over the intercom. "Teachers, boys and girls, please stand and recite the Pledge of Allegiance. This morning we will be led by (name of some girl or boy). Please remain standing while Mrs. Whatever (music teacher) leads us in singing My Country Tis' of Thee. Then (student) will read from the Bible, and I will say our prayer for the day".

Yes, this was in public school.

And then it happened. Mr. H.W. Solomon