Net Miles Of Smiles

True Story — Worth Reading !!!

At the prodding of my friends, I am writing this story. My name is Mildred Hondorf. I am a former elementary school music teacher from Des Moines , Iowa. I’ve always supplemented my income by teaching piano lessons-something I’ve done for over 30 years.

Over the years I found that children have many levels of musical ability. I’ve never had the pleasure of having a prodigy though I have taught some talented students.

However I’ve also had my share of what I call “musically challenged” pupils. One such student was Robby. Robby was 11 years old when his mother (a single Mom) dropped him off for his first piano lesson. I prefer that students (especially boys!) begin at an earlier age, which I explained to Robby.

But Robby said that it had always been his mother’s dream to hear him play the piano. So I took him as a student. Well, Robby began with his piano lessons and from the beginning I thought it was a hopeless endeavor.
As much as Robby tried, he lacked the sense of tone and basic rhythm needed to excel. But he dutifully reviewed his scales and some elementary pieces that I require all my students to learn.

Over the months he tried and tried while I listened and cringed and tried to encourage him. At the end of each weekly lesson he’d always say, “My mom’s going to hear me play someday.” But it seemed hopeless. He just did not have any inborn ability. I only knew his mother from a distance as she dropped Robby off or waited in her aged car to pick him up. She always waved and smiled but never stopped in.

Then one day Robby stopped coming to our lessons.

I thought about calling him but assumed because of his lack of ability, that he had decided to pursue something else. I also was glad that he stopped coming. He was a bad advertisement for my teaching!

Several weeks later I mailed to the students’ homes a flyer on the upcoming recital. To my surprise Robby (who received a flyer) asked me if he could be in the recital. I told him that the recital was for current pupils and because he had dropped out he really did not qualify. He said that his mother had been sick and unable to take him to piano lessons but he was still practicing. “Miss Hondorf I’ve just got to play!” he insisted.

I don’t know what led me to allow him to play in the recital. Maybe it was his persistence or maybe it was something inside of me saying that it would be all right. The night for the recital came. The high school gymnasium was packed with parents, friends and relatives. I put Robby up last in the program before I was to come up and thank all the students and play a finishing piece. I thought that any damage he would do would come at the end of the program and I could always salvage his poor performance through my “curtain closer.”

Well, the recital went off without a hitch. The students had been practicing and it showed. Then Robby came up on stage. His clothes were wrinkled and his hair looked like he’d run an eggbeater through it. “Why didn’t he dress up like the other students?” I thought. “Why didn’t his mother at least make him comb his hair for this special night?”

Robby pulled out the piano bench and he began. I was surprised when he announced that he had

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Comments (0) Sep 05 2008

I have known Alexandra almost her whole life. She came to my daycare at the delicate age of three months and stayed until she went off to kindergarten, which was this past year.

Binnie, as her mom so affectionately nicknamed her, was like the Energizer Bunny. She never stopped moving, never sat still or slowed down. No matter what was going on, at any given time, she was always a step or two ahead of the other children.

She has the sweet, outgoing personality of her mom and a heart of gold, giving attitude like her dad. I know that her character is partly the result of her parent’s wholesome, faith based qualities but there is also a genuine sense of perception that is all Binnie.

In all of her five years she has shown a unique sense of caring for others that truly surpasses her age.

She has brought much joy to my days. Knowing my absolute love for Coke Slurpees, this tiny tot would sometimes insist that her mom stop to get me one before work. Many a morning Heather would find herself in the middle of the breakfast rush at Burger King to get a frozen coke for me. Binnie’s sole goal was to surprise me — and surprise me she did with her thoughtfulness.

For whatever reason Binnie hated when I’d refer to myself as an old lady. Usually I’d save this remark and dramatize the effect as I’d try to cajole the kids into helping to pick up the toys. Whether Binnie saw right through the charade or saw me as just a big kid, I’ll never know.

I’d like to treasure the memory as a compliment that she she saw past the gray hairs to really appreciate the ‘kid’ in me.

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Comments (0) Jul 25 2008

A young farm lad from North Iowa goes off to college, but about 1/3 of the way through the semester, he has foolishly squandered away all of the money his parents gave him.

Then he gets an idea. He calls his daddy. “Dad,” he says, “you won’t believe the wonders that modern education is coming up with! Why, they actually have a program here at Iowa State that will teach our dog Ole Blue how to talk!”

“That’s absolutely amazing,” his father says. “How do I get him in that program?”

“Just send him down here with $1,000″ the boy says. “I’ll get him into the course.” So, his father sends the dog and the $1,000. About 2/3 way through the semester, the money runs out. The boy calls his father again.

“So how’s Ole Blue doing, son,” his father asks.

“Awesome, Dad, he’s talking up a storm,” he says, “but you just won’t believe this - they’ve had such good results with this program that they’ve implemented a new one to teach the animals how to READ!”

“READ,” says his father, “No kidding! What do I have to do to get him in that program?”

Just send $2,500, I’ll get him in the class.” His father sends the money.

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Comments (0) Jul 17 2008