By Delores Wislon, February 6, 2020 — On the return from school after I’ve finished my chores, I would sit on Mrs. Hale’s step, waiting for her to come to the door and say, “Hi, Delores. How was your day?” She then would remove her apron and sit on the glider that was on her porch. I would keep my on-guard position so I could see if Mrs. Williams, her next-door neighbor who would hijack the conversation. She was famous for putting down person, place, or thing. Mrs. Hale on the other hand, was aware of person, place, or thing that I even I was even surprised that she knew about. She always saw things through the eyes of hope and hopefulness. She had a method that me and my friends felt safe. We, or at least I speak for myself, I was transparent with her. She taught without lecturing. I later learned that she kept my mother informed about things I forgot to tell my mom. It truly takes a village to raise children with safe people.
