My mom is a really good teacher. Whenever I meet one of her former students, which I do a lot because Donaho is such an usual last name, they are always so excited to tell me how much they loved my mom. I went to see an orthopedist last year and it turned out his partner was a former student of my mom's. He and his family came as boat people from Vietnam, and he explained, with teary eyes (this very successful orthopedist) that my mom taught him (and his many siblings) to speak English.
These former students usually say, in addition to how much they loved her, how hard she was, but that it was okay because they needed it. And I can relate to this. She's been my teacher my whole life. Here are the things she has taught me so far:
• Make friends and be a good friend.
• Tell the truth (unless it is going to hurt someone's feelings unnecessarily).
• Always bring enough money to buy your own dinner (both literally and figuratively).
• Make your bed.
• Do the right thing, even when no one else is looking.
• Mind your manners.
• Share your opinion.
• Eat at least one bite of everything you're served.
• Give help and mercy where it's needed.
• Do a good job (and not just to please other people but because it feels good to do it).
I am the sum of these lessons, and I'm proud of it. I've had an amazing teacher.