I always thought she was the kind one, given how many students she had over the years - that she would keep up our correspondence for so long.

I'm glad that both my kids had teachers who demonstrated what Mrs. Hansen had, to me, so early on - that some "strict" teachers are only "strict" because they truly enjoy teaching and they truly enjoy and care about the children they teach. It's hard. There are other kinds of teachers: the young ones who want the kids to LIKE them; the ones who crave power and authority (little people are easy - too few adults listen to them when that power and authority are abused); and the ones who just want to get through the day. And then there are the Mrs. Hansens, if you're lucky enough to get one.