Excerpt from Helen Keller’s Book, The Story of My Life
The most important day I remember in all my life is the one on which my teacher, Anne Mansfield Sullivan, came to me. I am filled with wonder when I consider the immeasurable contrasts between the two lives which it connects. It was the third of March, 1887, three months before I was seven years old.
On the afternoon of that eventful day, I stood on the porch, dumb, expectant. I guessed vaguely from my mother’s signs and from the hurrying to and fro in the house that something unusual was about to happen, so I went to the door and waited on the steps. The afternoon sun penetrated the mass of honeysuckle that covered the porch, and fell on my upturned face. My fingers lingered almost unconsciously on the familiar leaves and blossoms which had just come forth to greet the sweet southern spring. I did not know what the future held of marvel or surprise for me. Anger and bitterness had preyed upon me continually for weeks and a deep languor had succeeded this passionate struggle.
Have you ever been at sea in a dense fog, when it seemed as if a tangible white darkness shut you in, and the great ship, tense and anxious, groped her way toward the shore with plummet and sounding-line, and you waited with beating heart for something to happen? I was like that ship before my education began, only I was without compass or sounding-line, and had no way of knowing how near the harbour was. “Light! give me light!” was the wordless cry of my soul, and the light of love shone on me in that very hour.
IN THE SAME WAY ANNE SULLIVAN CAME INTO HELEN KELLER’S LIFE AT THE RIGHT MOMENT, WHO CAME INTO YOUR LIFE AT THE RIGHT MOMENT AND MADE A DIFFERENCE FOR YOU?
My former music teacher. She gave me a present at our end of high school dance, a notebook which was meant to remind me to keep composing songs. It’s one of the most beautiful presents I ever got and it really touched me. Later on I got to work with her on two musicals written for the students of the school to perform, both of which where performed. So she was without a doubt responsible for some of the happiest moments of my life.
Thank you for your wonderful story filled with gratitude. People touch us at the right time, often in the most unexpected ways, and our lives are forever better because of them. Have a great day. Ray