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HeroicStories #768: Carry On and Rise Above
Reaching more than 42,000 subscribers in 118 countries, this is...
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HeroicStories #768: 1 June 2009 www.HeroicStories.com
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Carry On and Rise Above Story Editor:
by Lindsay Larcombe Anne Wilson
United Kingdom
He wasn't a celebrity who did good work for charity or humanitarian
organisations, laudable though they are. He was my senior school music
teacher in the late 60s and early 70s, when I attended school in Essex,
UK, outside of London.
Mr Howarth had a very bad cleft palate, and when he was born in the
1920s the corrective surgery we now take for granted wasn't available.
As a result, his speech was badly affected. Did this impact his
teaching, with children constantly asking him to repeat things and
mocking him behind his back?
Not at all. His love of music and energetic baton work enthused everyone
he taught. The orchestra tried not to giggle whilst following his
expressive direction. He encouraged even the most non-musical of
students. His love of music was so infectious he got many pupils to join
the choir, band, and orchestra -- though they would never have thought
of joining on their own.
He showed by example the best way to overcome a handicap -- carry on
regardless, and rise above it.
He had trouble remembering pupil names, so if he didn't know your name
he had a solution. He called all the boys "Archibald" and all the girls
"Alice." It made for hilarious lessons when he shouted, "Archibald! Pay
attention!" with his pronounced lisp, even though the child in question
had no idea the remark was aimed at him.
Once we rehearsed for a school concert on a stage made of hollow
moveable blocks, a school staple in the UK. There were a lot of solo
acts and choir performances in between the orchestral and band pieces,
so there was a lot of pupil movement on the temporary stage. Mr Howarth
was insistent that we didn't jump up and down on the blocks as it could
be dangerous.
He was not a small man and he made the mistake of demonstrating what we
were not to do. One of his energetic jumps resulted in him going through
the block, up to his thighs in broken wood.
Luckily, apart from bruising his dignity (and probably his legs) he was
unhurt.
Mr Howarth was so loved that when he retired in the 80s, after over 40
years of teaching, many former pupils returned for a surprise farewell
concert in his honour. He was moved to tears when he realised he had
affected so many generations of pupils.
We played all his favourite pieces, and I don't think there was a dry
eye in the house when we played "Land of Hope and Glory", a rousing tune
well known in the UK.
I had many good teachers, but Mr Howarth was head and shoulders above
the rest, and will always be an inspiration to me. I feel privileged to
have known and been taught by him.
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Our story "Back on Two Wheels" (#767) described the author's experience
of having two gentlemen dash over to help her pick her motorcycle up
after it fell while she was touring the United States.
Jon in Washington replies: "Can you pass on to the story author my
thanks for relating her courage. The first two sentences of her story
echo a story from my own life (although the man on the motorcycle was my
best friend). Those two sentences could have been a much longer sadder
story. I'm glad she went on to have her heroic moment, as I have in the
intervening years as well."
Louis in Virginia sent a useful tip. "I was away on a motorcycle trip
when this story went out. I'd like to share a site written by a woman
named Carol. She teaches people how to raise their motorcycles without
hurting their backs. Just in case there aren't two guys standing around
the next time. There are videos there as well:
http://www.pinkribbonrides.com/dropped.html . I dropped my bike when
making an unexpected quick stop as well. Hurt my back getting it up. Now
I know the RIGHT way to do it. Also, my condolences to the author on the
loss of her boyfriend. I admire the fact that she continues to ride
though. Lots of families have used similar situations to get people to
stop riding."
Sheila in Alberta, Canada wasn't pleased by the story: "In reference to
Issue #767, what the heck is a woman too small to pick her own
motorcycle doing out on her own with a machine too much for her to
TOTALLY handle. She is lucky she did not put others in danger with her
choices."
In "Waiting For Someone Special", (#766) a grocery cashier left her till
to help out an elderly man whose wife was terminally ill. JaneAnn from
New York enjoyed the story: "It's so beautiful that the author was able
to experience the gentleness and kind act that the cashier displayed
towards this elderly man and his dying wife's wishes. We should all
learn to follow our hearts like she did. It was also great that David
took even more of his time to speak to her supervisor and give her
credit for her outstanding compassion. Truly a heart warming story."
(That story is on our archives, here:
http://www.HeroicStories.com/archives.html .)
Jean in California adds a reply to "Finding the Courage to Fly" (#765):
"Thanks for brightening my day again. The story about the mom,
frightened to be flying for the first time, reminded me of my own mom
(now 85) and how grateful I feel every time she tells me of a kindness
someone has done for her."
Amy in Illinois sent a comment containing some wonderful insights: "I
was just thinking that I since I can remember, I always wanted to be
remembered for making the world a better place. Plans for being printed
in a science or biology textbook changed into just being remembered for
being a good person. I enjoy my life, I remember the people who were
kind to me in what they may think of as small way left life long
impressions on my life. We are here to be kind to each other -- and it's
very easy to do. Often the 'unnecessary kindness' is overlooked, but not
in your website. Thank you for passing on that it's important to be nice
to everyone you meet. I know now that I will be remembered when I die.
Maybe not in print or in large ways, but I know I've made people's lives
better, and that makes my life worthwhile."
Let us know what you've been thinking.
Joyce Schowalter, Publisher
Co-Conspirator to Make the World a Better Place
COMMENTS about stories are always welcome -- please include your first
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