Reconnecting…

Yesterday I had the unique pleasure of reconnecting with my elementary school music teacher—Mrs. Joan Fretz.  It wasn’t the first time I had reconnected with a teacher from the past, but it was the first time I got to reconnect with a teacher who was so much more to me.

She was the first of a few very special teachers I have had over the years, who for whatever reason took a particular liking to me (yes me).  She was a special teacher who to this day is remembered by a great many of her former students from Munsey Park Elementary School.

What made her so special to me? Well, many of you are aware of the health battle my mom valiantly waged for several years.  What you may not know is that when I was in fifth grade, she had a terrible asthma attack at which time we almost lost her.  She spent nearly four months in the hospital – during which time I had a serious fall that resulted in my being hospitalized with a concussion.  But that bump on the head was the least of my worries.

When it was time for me to leave the hospital and people realized that my grandfather was the only one at home, it was questioned whether I was going to be taken care of.  Thankfully, several neighbors stepped forward to claim responsibility for me, which calmed the situation.  However, it was the kindness and generosity of my music teacher that truly helped me through what was the biggest crisis I had ever faced.

Mom was very ill, and all anyone would tell me was that she was in Intensive Care and that a machine was helping her breathe.  They wouldn’t let me see her nor would they tell me anything beyond that.  So while my little mind was racked with fear about losing my mother, Mrs. Fretz kept me busy and happy. She also arranged for me to finally see my mom after nearly two months.  By then she was off the ventilator but still very weak.  But it didn’t matter.  I got see her and at the time, it was the only thing in the world that mattered to me.  I have never forgotten the kindness Mrs. Fretz showed to me back then, and I was so very happy to be able to tell her that while we while we were ‘catching up.’  

By the way, in addition to being an incredible human being, she was also one hell of a music teacher.  As I said before, many of my former classmates and I still talk about the concerts we used to put on. You see, Mrs. Fretz didn’t just teach us a series of songs and expect us to stand stiffly and sing them for our parents.  She taught us movement and gave us props to use… but overall she gave us a sense of accomplishment.  

And this is why we still remember her, and it’s also why so many of my former classmates say they wish their kids had a music teacher like Mrs. Fretz.