How Old Is Mr. Hudson?
October 2, 2000 Rev.
Dick Wills used this in his sermon at our church.
These
are thoughts from the 3rd grade bilingual students of Mary Barrows at Thurgood Marshall Elementary School in Ft. Lauderdale,
Florida. Paul Hudson volunteers one day
a week and tutors students one-on-one.
He has worked with Mary for over ten years as a faithful and well-loved
volunteer who was recruited from Mary’s church.
The
students were given the following prompt:
"I think Mr. Hudson is ____ years old because . . ."
Dominic:
I think Mr. Hudson is 50 years old because he has gray hair and black
shoes. He has clothes like 50 year olds
do. He has a lot of students to work
with when he comes to the class. Mrs.
Barrows told him to leave at 1:30 so he can beat the traffic.
Jalcoby: 55 . . . because he wears the same coat like
55. He wears the same clean shoes and I
like him very, very much.
Jessica:
40 . . . because he looks 40. If he is not 40, I bet that he might be
41. I wonder if he has a girlfriend and
if he is nice to her every day.
Shareika: 79 . . . because he
is a great man and a great helper. He is
very smart and he has a good mind. I
know he loves children.
Anesha: 95 . . . because he
is very, very, very nice like my mother.
Also, because he has the most beautiful eyes that I have seen in my
life. And because he makes people have a
good grade on their math test or their spelling test.
Aaron: 79 . . . because my
dad said if you get older you get weaker and you will die and go to heaven like
that movie All Dogs Go to Heaven. When
Mr. Hudson dies, he will have a home in heaven.
Dear
Mr. Hudson,
Words are not enough to convey my feelings for you and
the special way that you have touched the lives of so many students as you
volunteered in my classroom. At the
same time you have made such an impact on me by showing me that age, gender or
race is not an issue in sharing love with people.
You are a special gift in my life and I thank you for
your faithfulness in coming every week.
Can you believe that we have worked together for over 10 years?
Your expertise in cursive writing (amazing how you write
so beautifully) and division has been a real contribution to "our”
students’ progress. Your gentle, yet
dignified treatment of each child, is long remembered by the students you work
with as well as everyone around you who sees your “love in action.”
Happy 93rd birthday! May you have a wonderful day and another good
year.
With
much love and respect,
Mary
May Barrows
(as of 2020, MaryMay Suter)
p.s. We are all waiting to learn
your secrets to longevity!!! Are you
publishing your book any time soon?
