I spoke with George at our 25th reunion. I believe he became a clergyman, I may be wrong. I am a speech pathologist. I shared with him that I thought of him with every stuttering case I had. I told him I marveled at the courage it took to just come to school each day. Tears came to his eyes. In my entire career I don't think I encountered a stutterer as severe with such overwhelming secondary characteristics.
I have tears in my eyes as I write this. I am proud of you who have shared with such honesty on this site. Thank you for your openess. I would like to think that I was kind, but most likely I just ignored George.
50 years later, it is good to know that many of us have been humbled by life's lessons and by our own maturity. Even as a young child, I was moved by those who struggle. A little hello, a simple smile or a friendly nod CAN make a difference in a shy person's day. It is never too late to practice kindness and human decency. Sorry life was so painful for George but I hope we have learned to treat all of the George's we meet with respect .
Thank you, Gordon, for your courage and honesty. Many in our class experienced what you called 'cruelty' from others; even at the distance of 50 years, though, it can be comforting to read expressions of regret. Please know your words make a difference.
I confess I don't remember George either, and his photo is not in the class of 63 roster on the website, but I can imagine his struggle at the ages we all were then. Thanks to Andrea and Esther for so poignantly helping us remember, and I second Dave's thanks to Gordon for his honest memory. Thank goodness life is full of second chance opportunities for all of us.
I remember George not because of high school, but because he lived next store to my aunt and uncle in Clifton. Occasionally, when I would visit them, I would meet George to play board games. I recall seeing George, but not interacting with him at WHHS. At that stage, I had my own demons to contend with. I think Julie has it right: life teaches the importance of acknowledging those around you, even in small ways.
I must admit that this is painful stuff for me to remember because I along with Gerorge and a few other boys at Walnut was bullied a lot, particularly in my scrawny and immature junior high days. I was friends with George during that period, and remember he had a place on his hand where he bit himself when someone was abusing him. I also remember his sense of humor. I recall he left before we graduated, but remember seeing at an earier reunion that he had a professional career and was glad he made it through. I'm sorry he died early as he could have used a lot of good things to happen in his life.
On thinking more about this, I have to 'fess up that I was sometimes on the giving end as well as the getting end of youthful cruelty. The recipients of my verbal abuse were some girls of less than popular and prestigious backgrounds, a couple of whom eventually left the school. Not a good thing to have done.
Esther Seltz (Stillman)
I spoke with George at our 25th reunion. I believe he became a clergyman, I may be wrong. I am a speech pathologist. I shared with him that I thought of him with every stuttering case I had. I told him I marveled at the courage it took to just come to school each day. Tears came to his eyes. In my entire career I don't think I encountered a stutterer as severe with such overwhelming secondary characteristics.Jan B Ziegel (Taylor)
I have tears in my eyes as I write this. I am proud of you who have shared with such honesty on this site. Thank you for your openess. I would like to think that I was kind, but most likely I just ignored George.
Julie Shavzin (Cohen)
50 years later, it is good to know that many of us have been humbled by life's lessons and by our own maturity. Even as a young child, I was moved by those who struggle. A little hello, a simple smile or a friendly nod CAN make a difference in a shy person's day. It is never too late to practice kindness and human decency. Sorry life was so painful for George but I hope we have learned to treat all of the George's we meet with respect .
David L Bratt
Thank you, Gordon, for your courage and honesty. Many in our class experienced what you called 'cruelty' from others; even at the distance of 50 years, though, it can be comforting to read expressions of regret. Please know your words make a difference.
Glen A Bengson
I confess I don't remember George either, and his photo is not in the class of 63 roster on the website, but I can imagine his struggle at the ages we all were then. Thanks to Andrea and Esther for so poignantly helping us remember, and I second Dave's thanks to Gordon for his honest memory. Thank goodness life is full of second chance opportunities for all of us.
Glen Bengson
Thomas R Trager
I remember George not because of high school, but because he lived next store to my aunt and uncle in Clifton. Occasionally, when I would visit them, I would meet George to play board games. I recall seeing George, but not interacting with him at WHHS. At that stage, I had my own demons to contend with. I think Julie has it right: life teaches the importance of acknowledging those around you, even in small ways.
Sandy Meagher (Wood)
WOW
I just recently read all thse remarks and I was blown away by all that everyone said.
It is wonderful that we have grown to be pretty nice adults
James Finger (Finger)
George's parents and my parents were good friends, so I saw George outside of school -- sometimes to
eat dinner and sometimes, like Tom T. to play board games. That he became a minister is not surprising to
me; he was a sweet, kind guy, who, through his own trials, was able understand how other people suffer.
I appreciate Gordon's coments......I am sure George would too.
Stanley A Hirtle
I must admit that this is painful stuff for me to remember because I along with Gerorge and a few other boys at Walnut was bullied a lot, particularly in my scrawny and immature junior high days. I was friends with George during that period, and remember he had a place on his hand where he bit himself when someone was abusing him. I also remember his sense of humor. I recall he left before we graduated, but remember seeing at an earier reunion that he had a professional career and was glad he made it through. I'm sorry he died early as he could have used a lot of good things to happen in his life.
Stanley A Hirtle
On thinking more about this, I have to 'fess up that I was sometimes on the giving end as well as the getting end of youthful cruelty. The recipients of my verbal abuse were some girls of less than popular and prestigious backgrounds, a couple of whom eventually left the school. Not a good thing to have done.