Serendipity or Providence?

This morning my spirit was made aware of the journey God has long provided for my life.

Since my mother's womb it seems, protected and provided for in remarkable ways.

I recall my first few pre-school years, and yes, I do mean before my enrollment in first grade, as "Kindergarten" was neither in our vocabulary, nor affordable. I could have been some street urchin but for God's providence!

Playing in the creek behind our tiny 4 room post war cottage are my first memories. Then with goats and chickens over at Aunt Ginny's and Grandma Farmer's house. Both stepping in when Momma fell victim to postpartum depression, after her 4th child.

Mrs. Kilby stepped up when they were not available, though my dad's two jobs could barely compensate her, I'm sure. I am deeply indebted to these now long departed saints!

Ms. Alexander, Ms. Sims, my first and second grade teachers also filling in during the day, in those early years as I learned to read. I was a straight-A student, at least for a couple years, when otherwise my life could have stalled out academically.

What they seeded foundationally others picked up on, perhaps the reason I have now given over 30 years to public and private education, prior to my present consulting and development work.

The most special teacher in my memory was Mrs. Charles Hill, my eighth grade teacher at Griffith School. She was somehow placed in my life when Dad had finally worked us into our first "brick home" in the Fall of 1961 (see photo). His lifelong dream, as shared with me prior to his death, nearing his 100th year!

It was Mrs. Hill ("say her name") who told my new classmates, which I now know would have been identified as exceptionally gifted: "You should ask Johnny for his ideas, he always has good ideas."

Those words have reassured me for decades, wisely spoken to a new kid, in a new school, after relocating from a low end rental neighborhood, by then in my 4th school since second grade!

She just knew what I needed! Good teachers bring more than daily content!

Oh, and this you'll never believe! Years later, after five of the roughest years of my life from 1968-73, after a divorce from my college sweetheart, fostered by a parental suicide, Mrs. Charles Hill's only son had begun dating a UNC-G girl from Catawba County.

You see, It just happened that Mrs. Hill lived inside the Davidson County line, where by then, I had begun teaching at North Davidson Jr.High. He "serendipitously" attended a party where he introduced her to a faculty member, Patricia Hall Hinkle-Mabe from the very school where I taught.

His girl friend, LaDonna Setzer later applied, was employed and stationed across the hall from my science classroom. We soon became friends.

In 1973, we began dating, and in December of 2026, we will celebrate 53 years of marriage, one daughter (also an educator) and two grands!

Thanks again, Mrs Hill!