ona boland's expanded sympathies

On the main lesson that teens need to hear, "Other People Are Real," Mz Boland was my main teacher.    Part of it was I believed that she saw and knew *me*, in a context where many teachers just didn't.    She had a way of letting you know she was in your corner, even and especially when you needed correction and guidance, which she gave without the slightest scold.

She had a good dictionary, where the definition of "niceness" didn't include letting bullies get their way, or letting wrongs go unaddressed.    Her definition of "gentleness" didn't include laxitude or overpermissiveness.    Most of all, her definition of "the good life" emphatically included travel, food, conversation, really hearing people and communicating with them, and always expanding the boundaries of one's concern.

Her rich, crazy schoolroom, which she made in her image, stays with me to this day:  full of posters and art and humor and precious objects and everything else —– a message to all who entered that your life could be something other than what you'd pictured.

She now sets off on a journey where I hope she begins to find out, person by person, what massive rippling effect she has had on the world, and will for generations.

Farewell, Ona Boland.    Thank you.