tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11022879.post8659761103574654758..comments2024-03-27T03:25:08.267-07:00Comments on Life in the Shoe: Why I'm Grateful to Mrs. OlsonDorcashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07050605764466835485noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11022879.post-25234826162840787332017-02-25T21:32:00.924-08:002017-02-25T21:32:00.924-08:00I was Pam Johnson. There was another Pam Johnson t...I was Pam Johnson. There was another Pam Johnson that was my second cousin. She was two years younger than me. I believe that you are correct that we rode the same school bus. What year did you graduate? I know that you are younger than me. Pamela Mixhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01011814395141549506noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11022879.post-56145212238250489602017-02-25T20:28:44.393-08:002017-02-25T20:28:44.393-08:00Yes. I've learned a lot but still have much to...Yes. I've learned a lot but still have much to learn.Dorcashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07050605764466835485noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11022879.post-53543753987722974612017-02-25T20:28:14.568-08:002017-02-25T20:28:14.568-08:00It would be interesting to compare stories.It would be interesting to compare stories.Dorcashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07050605764466835485noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11022879.post-91300020648019109132017-02-25T20:27:52.778-08:002017-02-25T20:27:52.778-08:00Thanks, Pamela. I'm trying to figure out if yo...Thanks, Pamela. I'm trying to figure out if you are Pam Johnson that lived on our road and rode our bus for years...<br />Just fyi, John was also a Yoder but not my brother. :-)<br />Dorcashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07050605764466835485noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11022879.post-26318546587709889442017-02-25T20:24:15.917-08:002017-02-25T20:24:15.917-08:00I'm sorry you didn't have a good year with...I'm sorry you didn't have a good year with Mrs. Olson.Dorcashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07050605764466835485noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11022879.post-32898474107155923412017-02-25T20:09:49.730-08:002017-02-25T20:09:49.730-08:00That is so interesting. There were two Catholic ki...That is so interesting. There were two Catholic kids in our grade...I wonder if they felt like you.Dorcashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07050605764466835485noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11022879.post-34006694539713171152017-02-25T20:09:10.132-08:002017-02-25T20:09:10.132-08:00thank you for your empathy.thank you for your empathy.Dorcashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07050605764466835485noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11022879.post-2509435571078560832017-02-25T20:08:33.759-08:002017-02-25T20:08:33.759-08:00Shirley, that is horrible and I'm so sorry you...Shirley, that is horrible and I'm so sorry you had to endure such treatment and the twisted messages that came with it.Dorcashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07050605764466835485noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11022879.post-64004474527122413262017-02-25T20:07:25.376-08:002017-02-25T20:07:25.376-08:00Thank you for sharing this story, and God bless th...Thank you for sharing this story, and God bless the guy down the street for standing up for you!Dorcashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07050605764466835485noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11022879.post-66257914692063754842017-02-25T20:06:37.497-08:002017-02-25T20:06:37.497-08:00Thank you, Jenn.Thank you, Jenn.Dorcashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07050605764466835485noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11022879.post-61644804181879779442017-02-25T20:06:10.874-08:002017-02-25T20:06:10.874-08:00Actually, Lucy, my nature was very much to say thi...Actually, Lucy, my nature was very much to say things out loud, and I was taught not to. But, like you, I wasn't always kind to others, which I regret.Dorcashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07050605764466835485noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11022879.post-78415655126508387732017-02-25T17:32:30.795-08:002017-02-25T17:32:30.795-08:00A beautiful story. Learning to speak up and speak ...A beautiful story. Learning to speak up and speak out takes real courage for some of us. And as we learn our power, grace to do it with kindness. <br />Lucinda Jhttp://www.lucindajmiller.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11022879.post-81707078379713990752017-02-22T03:05:27.374-08:002017-02-22T03:05:27.374-08:00Mrs. Olson was my sixth grade teacher as well and ...Mrs. Olson was my sixth grade teacher as well and a grade school teacher hero. Your thoughts triggered a flood of memories . . . <br />Nathan YoderAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10356323816155463981noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11022879.post-31337854059855771002017-02-21T21:26:38.125-08:002017-02-21T21:26:38.125-08:00Dorcas, I love your story about Mrs. Olson. You ha...Dorcas, I love your story about Mrs. Olson. You have an amazing way with words and thank you for sharing your stories. Mrs. Olson was my sixth grade teacher too. She truly was a great teacher in many ways. I was very blessed to have many talented teachers that cared about their students in Grove City. I graduated in 1977 and my maiden name was Johnson. I believe your brother John was in my grade. Thank you again for writing your story. I hope to read more of your stories. Take care Dorcas!Pamela Mixhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01011814395141549506noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11022879.post-54213152951278194032017-02-21T19:28:04.396-08:002017-02-21T19:28:04.396-08:00I had Mrs. Olson too. But a different year. She wa...I had Mrs. Olson too. But a different year. She was not nice to me. She ridiculed me in front of others. She made fun of my work. When i stayed up late to try to make it perfect and hoped she'd notice she brushed it off. I too was picked on relentlessly. Im glad she helped you though...and I guess we are all human and capable of good and bad. Just a different perspective.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11022879.post-58975988675134248962017-02-21T10:49:34.502-08:002017-02-21T10:49:34.502-08:00I didn't go to Grove City elementary but I wen...I didn't go to Grove City elementary but I went to Atwater but I didn't fit in either because I am Catholic and German and not Lutheran and Scandinavian. I was different too even though I looked the same as my classmates.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11022879.post-50133613871111431242017-02-21T09:33:52.754-08:002017-02-21T09:33:52.754-08:00Maybe it was nobody. Maybe it was just your natur...Maybe it was nobody. Maybe it was just your nature not to raise a fuss. You would have had to be taught to do otherwise. Nobody taught me to silently accept that kind of tormenting, yet that is what I did all through high school. And, I snickered myself when it was other kids getting the brunt of it. If I could go back and change anything, it is the latter I would change. I would far rather I had stood up for the other kids. Lucynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11022879.post-86341866508828246832017-02-21T08:38:20.735-08:002017-02-21T08:38:20.735-08:00For some reason this story made me burst into tear...For some reason this story made me burst into tears. A child meeting an Advocate, and finding the courage to Tell.ShariZhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17792723253256673530noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11022879.post-87552111153315147592017-02-21T05:03:03.947-08:002017-02-21T05:03:03.947-08:00I went through a similar experience except that th...I went through a similar experience except that the principal gave them his blessing for their behavior (and it was a Mennonite school !)! Took me years to heal from it.After years of analyzing and study I came to two conclusions - that people confuse Pa. Dutch with being Mennonite( Swiss Germans put much emphasis on being "quiet" and "blending in ") and the willingness to use children to keep families who "don't conform" to "straighten up ". we are NOT talking about actual Biblical sins here. If a family isn't "in line" then their children are ostracized to send a message " you are treading on thin ice -shape up". In the meantime THOSE children grow up with the mixed message that "nonresistance is only for not going to war OR with outsiders - it doesnt count for that family in church that "doesnt act right". Shirleynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11022879.post-65336939838082504422017-02-20T23:05:45.410-08:002017-02-20T23:05:45.410-08:00When I was 18 a neighbor and friend of my father&#...When I was 18 a neighbor and friend of my father's tried to get "friendly" with me. I got him out of the house and a few days later told my friends down the street. They were a married couple around 30 years old. There was no point in telling my father, he would have been furious with ME. The husband from down the street went to the bad guys house and threatened the heck out of him and let him think he was going to tell everyone else on the block. The bad man was terrified and never came near me again. It is now 50 years later and I still think of that situation and how grateful I was. In a really bad childhood no one had ever stood up for me before that.Annehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14677933410879520343noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11022879.post-55179562848896254492017-02-20T18:25:18.948-08:002017-02-20T18:25:18.948-08:00This made me cry for sixth grade Dorcas. God bless...This made me cry for sixth grade Dorcas. God bless all the mrs. Olsons in our lives. Jennnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11022879.post-84072869453733750742017-02-20T14:25:46.250-08:002017-02-20T14:25:46.250-08:00Thanks, Crystal. You know, kids just do dumb thin...Thanks, Crystal. You know, kids just do dumb things, so I am more angry at whoever it was that taught me that silent acceptance was the only option. Was it parents, church, the Amish culture, my big brothers, or just a complicated soup of all the above? Still figuring that out. And hugs to your mom.Dorcashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07050605764466835485noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11022879.post-15150759965241315412017-02-20T14:22:20.562-08:002017-02-20T14:22:20.562-08:00Thank you, Tim. I'd love to hear your story so...Thank you, Tim. I'd love to hear your story sometime.Dorcashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07050605764466835485noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11022879.post-30069066710583734992017-02-20T14:10:52.545-08:002017-02-20T14:10:52.545-08:00My mom could have written this. It makes me want t...My mom could have written this. It makes me want to go back in time and deck anyone who hurt either of you. crystalkupperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06659420169932283744noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11022879.post-41964878483474666982017-02-20T08:21:15.794-08:002017-02-20T08:21:15.794-08:00Dorcas - I have my own "Mrs. Olson" stor...Dorcas - I have my own "Mrs. Olson" story - someone who completely changed my life for the better! And I thought of you and other members of your faith in the highest regard - and will always cherish my best childhood friend - Glen!Tim Bergstromnoreply@blogger.com