Someone thought of me...
I was driving home the other day and a song on the radio brought me back to the 70s (which isn't hard to do). Suddenly, for some reason I thought of the art class I had attended in school. It was that magical year, 1975, and I had taken Art as an elective. I had always wanted to draw, sketch, and paint. I mean with talent. My strongest area in school was in English. When the assignment of 'writing poetry' was announced, everyone seemed to groan except me. Give me a pen and paper and I could do that with great ease. That was a lifelong passion, that was easy (especially since I preferred to think of it as writing song lyrics), But what I really wanted to be able to do was artwork. Oh, I could just imagine the wonderful portraits of the Cartwrights and S&H that I would create and frame! And Lake Tahoe, lots of beautiful paintings of Lake Tahoe.
But I had no talent to draw and paint. I tried, I really did. But then I would look at the gorgeous work of my peers, "they" had talent and I was envious of their amazing ability to take the blank canvas and create brilliant works of art. But It was hard. So, I chatted on and on about S&H, in class, it was my new love and everybody was going to hear about it. It was a hip, new cool, show, so other kids were generally interested. I really didn't know that many people in the class, but I wasn't shy. So, I rambled on about Paul and David and that week's episode.
One day in class, a girl I knew of, but really didn't know, shyly walked over to me. She said, softly, "I have something for you." She handed me a rolled up paper. I unrolled it and there was a large pencil drawing portrait of "Starsky". It had beautiful intricate details and shading. I was stunned, I hardly knew this girl. I couldn't believe it, I thanked her profusely and she just said, "I know you really love the show and I needed to practice, so I drew Starsky for you." I was very touched by her kind gesture. Then she said, "I like listening to your stories about the show. It made me want to watch it. I like it, too."
I don't know where the drawing is now, I know, at the time, I framed it and hung it on the wall. Now *she* had talent, this sketch was gorgeous. But more importantly, she was kind and considerate and so thoughtful. I cannot remember her name,for certain, I'm sorry to say, but I think it was Theresa. I remember she had long dark hair and dark brown eyes, and was very soft spoken. What I do remember, clearly, is feeling so touched that--someone I hardly knew at all--took the time to think of me and draw that picture.
That was 37 years ago, but just like it happened, yesterday, I can remember sitting on the stool in art class, and this girl handing me the rolled up piece of paper...
I always want to remember the good in people, the giving in people. I wish she knew that I still remember that moment and that I am still grateful for her thoughtfulness.