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- Story Listed as: Fiction For Adults
- Theme: Inspirational
- Subject: Personal Growth / Achievement
- Published: 06/10/2022
Career Guidance
Born 1944, F, from Melbourne, FL, United States![Career Guidance](/storage/story/645CF9E4-2C74-6272-FEFD-4D3BDFF0E729_1654880722-image(180x285-crop).jpeg)
Career Guidance
by
Valerie Allen
“Thought you got lost making your way from the mailbox back to the house,” Ray said. He spread the newspaper on the kitchen table and glanced at the headline. “What took you so long?” he asked his wife.
Evelyn set the mail on the table. She held a simple white rectangular envelope, the flap torn open, and a single sheet of paper against her chest. She blinked back tears. “I received a letter from Joe Francis.”
Ray looked up at her. “Who's Joe Francis?” he asked.
Evelyn slipped onto the kitchen chair and handed Ray the letter.
He observed her carefully as he grasped the letter between his thumb and fingers. “It's probably junk mail; some kind of scam or another.”
She pointed at him. “You are sooo pessimistic!”
“No, I'm not.” He flicked the paper and heard it crackle. “These guys prey on retirees.”
Evelyn glared at him. “Well, Joe Francis certainly seems sincere.”
Ray adjusted his bifocals and began to read.
Dear Mrs. Bixley,
I'm not sure you remember me, but I certainly remember you. I'm now in a graduate program to earn my Master's Degree in School Counseling. I'm going to be a high school guidance counselor. I'm writing because my psychology professor gave our class an assignment to write to someone who was influential in our career choice; for me, that was you!
When I was in middle school, I lived in your neighborhood a few blocks from your house. I'm not sure how much you knew, but life was difficult for me and my family. I was the 'new kid' in school and that wasn't easy either. It wasn't the first time I was the 'new kid' and it was never easy. The crowd at the bus stop could really make me feel like 'two cents half spent' as they say. I was just beginning to fit in and then―we had 'family trouble' as my mother always called it. We knew this really meant we had to move again. We had to move a lot when I was growing up.
Well, for the two years I was in middle school, in your neighborhood, you'd drive by that bus stop every day in your blue VW Beetle and toot your horn. You always had a poster in the back window with some big word we never heard of and couldn't spell. The letters were about a foot high, so we could see it coming and going. Not sure where you came up with 'pneumonoultramicroscopicsiliconolcanoconiosis,' but it kept us busy for a long time. (It also kept me from ever smoking a cigarette!)
We called you “Wordy Gerty.” We created a friendly competition just for the kids on that bus to figure out the meaning of the words you shared each day. Throughout the school day, we'd ask our teachers and at home, we'd ask our parents what the words meant. We'd look them up in the dictionary. As you can imagine, we gained a lot of points with our English teacher and our parents―not to mention a growing vocabulary.
Your creativity was amazing―a clever way to explore new words and create a bond between each kid at that bus stop. It sure got our day off to a good start!
For me, your kindness helped me fit in and make friends. Those were two things I really needed at that time in my life. It also got me headed on the road to working with kids by becoming an educator and soon to be a school guidance counselor.
I haven't thought about this in many years, but I wanted you to know how much I appreciate you, when I was a boy and now as an adult. You were the most influential and inspirational person who led me to a career working with children. I hope I can do the same for the youngsters who cross my path.
Sincerely yours,
Joe Francis
Ray ran his hand through his thinning hair. “This is a strange one, for sure.”
Evelyn held up the envelope and studied the return address. “I don't remember a boy named Joe Francis.”
“Neither do I.”
She offered a wry smile. “But I can picture a young lonely boy trying to fit in,” she said.
Ray stared at his wife and rubbed his fingers across his chin. “You seem emotional about a letter from a stranger.”
Evelyn dabbed her eyes with a table napkin. “He's not a stranger. He may have confused me with Mrs. Bixley, whoever she is, but he's certainly grateful. I like him even if I've never met him.”
Ray looked at his wife. “He must have lived in the neighborhood about 15 years ago.”
“That sounds about right,” she said.
Ray leaned back in his chair. “Well, how in the world are we supposed to remember him, when we only moved here seven years ago?”
“We can't, but it's nice to know how influential teachers are, even if it takes a while for their students to figure it out.” She smiled broadly.
“I don't know about you, Evelyn. You're happy as a pig in mud getting a letter from a stranger who thanks you for something you didn't do.”
She tilted her head to one side and studied him. “Ray, did we ever own a blue VW Beetle?”
His eyebrows shot up. “Never! You know I'm a Ford man.”
# # #
Thank you for taking the time to read
Career Guidance
If you enjoyed it,
please consider telling your friends
and posting a review on
Amazon.com and other online sites.
Word-of-mouth referrals are
an author's best friend
and much appreciated.
~ ~ ~
About the Author
Valerie Allen, psychologist and author, writes fiction, nonfiction, short stories, and children's books. Her articles about mental health and parenting have been published nationwide. She has taught students in elementary school through those in post-graduate studies at various colleges and universities.
She lives in warm and sunny Florida where she enjoys fun with family and friends. She's all about good health and fitness activities. Also to her credit, she has learned many things about life and love while raising her six children!
~ ~ ~
Career Guidance
by
Valerie Allen
Copyright 2022 Valerie Allen
All rights reserved
Amazon.com/ebook/dp/B0B3PD6Z6Q
For More Information, please contact:
ValerieAllenWriter.com
VAllenWriter@gmail.com
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or events, is entirely coincidental.
Printed in the United States of America. All rights reserved. No part of this story may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the author.
~ ~ ~
Short Stories
by
Valerie Allen
A Good Thing on a Bad Day
A License to Practice
A Marriage of Convenience
A Mother's Love
A Tooth for a Tooth
A True Miracle
Ad Hoc Committee
Best Wishes
Brotherly Love
Career Guidance
Conditional Love
Doggie Tales
Father's Day
Father-Son Bonding
Fire Engine Red
Fireworks on the 4th
First Love
Future Plans
Holiday House Rules
Holiday Traditions
Home for the Holidays
I Remember Momma
Just Be Cos
Ladies in Waiting
Leisureville
Love is in the Air
Match-maker
Mother Knows Best
No Goin' Home
Potty Talk
Puppy Love
Queen for a Day
Second Chance
Small Steps
Split Second Timing
Thank You! Mr. Jackson
The Big Winner!
The Garden of Love
The Lonely Life of Amanda Miller
The Penalty Box
Visiting Day
Words of Wisdom
Valentine's Day
~ ~ ~
Career Guidance(Valerie Allen)
Career Guidance
by
Valerie Allen
“Thought you got lost making your way from the mailbox back to the house,” Ray said. He spread the newspaper on the kitchen table and glanced at the headline. “What took you so long?” he asked his wife.
Evelyn set the mail on the table. She held a simple white rectangular envelope, the flap torn open, and a single sheet of paper against her chest. She blinked back tears. “I received a letter from Joe Francis.”
Ray looked up at her. “Who's Joe Francis?” he asked.
Evelyn slipped onto the kitchen chair and handed Ray the letter.
He observed her carefully as he grasped the letter between his thumb and fingers. “It's probably junk mail; some kind of scam or another.”
She pointed at him. “You are sooo pessimistic!”
“No, I'm not.” He flicked the paper and heard it crackle. “These guys prey on retirees.”
Evelyn glared at him. “Well, Joe Francis certainly seems sincere.”
Ray adjusted his bifocals and began to read.
Dear Mrs. Bixley,
I'm not sure you remember me, but I certainly remember you. I'm now in a graduate program to earn my Master's Degree in School Counseling. I'm going to be a high school guidance counselor. I'm writing because my psychology professor gave our class an assignment to write to someone who was influential in our career choice; for me, that was you!
When I was in middle school, I lived in your neighborhood a few blocks from your house. I'm not sure how much you knew, but life was difficult for me and my family. I was the 'new kid' in school and that wasn't easy either. It wasn't the first time I was the 'new kid' and it was never easy. The crowd at the bus stop could really make me feel like 'two cents half spent' as they say. I was just beginning to fit in and then―we had 'family trouble' as my mother always called it. We knew this really meant we had to move again. We had to move a lot when I was growing up.
Well, for the two years I was in middle school, in your neighborhood, you'd drive by that bus stop every day in your blue VW Beetle and toot your horn. You always had a poster in the back window with some big word we never heard of and couldn't spell. The letters were about a foot high, so we could see it coming and going. Not sure where you came up with 'pneumonoultramicroscopicsiliconolcanoconiosis,' but it kept us busy for a long time. (It also kept me from ever smoking a cigarette!)
We called you “Wordy Gerty.” We created a friendly competition just for the kids on that bus to figure out the meaning of the words you shared each day. Throughout the school day, we'd ask our teachers and at home, we'd ask our parents what the words meant. We'd look them up in the dictionary. As you can imagine, we gained a lot of points with our English teacher and our parents―not to mention a growing vocabulary.
Your creativity was amazing―a clever way to explore new words and create a bond between each kid at that bus stop. It sure got our day off to a good start!
For me, your kindness helped me fit in and make friends. Those were two things I really needed at that time in my life. It also got me headed on the road to working with kids by becoming an educator and soon to be a school guidance counselor.
I haven't thought about this in many years, but I wanted you to know how much I appreciate you, when I was a boy and now as an adult. You were the most influential and inspirational person who led me to a career working with children. I hope I can do the same for the youngsters who cross my path.
Sincerely yours,
Joe Francis
Ray ran his hand through his thinning hair. “This is a strange one, for sure.”
Evelyn held up the envelope and studied the return address. “I don't remember a boy named Joe Francis.”
“Neither do I.”
She offered a wry smile. “But I can picture a young lonely boy trying to fit in,” she said.
Ray stared at his wife and rubbed his fingers across his chin. “You seem emotional about a letter from a stranger.”
Evelyn dabbed her eyes with a table napkin. “He's not a stranger. He may have confused me with Mrs. Bixley, whoever she is, but he's certainly grateful. I like him even if I've never met him.”
Ray looked at his wife. “He must have lived in the neighborhood about 15 years ago.”
“That sounds about right,” she said.
Ray leaned back in his chair. “Well, how in the world are we supposed to remember him, when we only moved here seven years ago?”
“We can't, but it's nice to know how influential teachers are, even if it takes a while for their students to figure it out.” She smiled broadly.
“I don't know about you, Evelyn. You're happy as a pig in mud getting a letter from a stranger who thanks you for something you didn't do.”
She tilted her head to one side and studied him. “Ray, did we ever own a blue VW Beetle?”
His eyebrows shot up. “Never! You know I'm a Ford man.”
# # #
Thank you for taking the time to read
Career Guidance
If you enjoyed it,
please consider telling your friends
and posting a review on
Amazon.com and other online sites.
Word-of-mouth referrals are
an author's best friend
and much appreciated.
~ ~ ~
About the Author
Valerie Allen, psychologist and author, writes fiction, nonfiction, short stories, and children's books. Her articles about mental health and parenting have been published nationwide. She has taught students in elementary school through those in post-graduate studies at various colleges and universities.
She lives in warm and sunny Florida where she enjoys fun with family and friends. She's all about good health and fitness activities. Also to her credit, she has learned many things about life and love while raising her six children!
~ ~ ~
Career Guidance
by
Valerie Allen
Copyright 2022 Valerie Allen
All rights reserved
Amazon.com/ebook/dp/B0B3PD6Z6Q
For More Information, please contact:
ValerieAllenWriter.com
VAllenWriter@gmail.com
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or events, is entirely coincidental.
Printed in the United States of America. All rights reserved. No part of this story may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the author.
~ ~ ~
Short Stories
by
Valerie Allen
A Good Thing on a Bad Day
A License to Practice
A Marriage of Convenience
A Mother's Love
A Tooth for a Tooth
A True Miracle
Ad Hoc Committee
Best Wishes
Brotherly Love
Career Guidance
Conditional Love
Doggie Tales
Father's Day
Father-Son Bonding
Fire Engine Red
Fireworks on the 4th
First Love
Future Plans
Holiday House Rules
Holiday Traditions
Home for the Holidays
I Remember Momma
Just Be Cos
Ladies in Waiting
Leisureville
Love is in the Air
Match-maker
Mother Knows Best
No Goin' Home
Potty Talk
Puppy Love
Queen for a Day
Second Chance
Small Steps
Split Second Timing
Thank You! Mr. Jackson
The Big Winner!
The Garden of Love
The Lonely Life of Amanda Miller
The Penalty Box
Visiting Day
Words of Wisdom
Valentine's Day
~ ~ ~
- Share this story on
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![](/storage/users/default-image(212x212-crop).png)
Help Us Understand What's Happening
![some-data...](/storage/users/A4543371-1E62-2385-EF62-EC1DC894E054_1692316512-image(212x212-crop).jpeg)
Valerie Allen
02/10/2023Thanks, Ben. You never know when a kind word or a good example from a teacher can have so much infulence on kids ~
Help Us Understand What's Happening
![](/storage/users/5409FB9C-B08D-404A-AEB5-1656E97B7D38_1544319328-image(212x212-crop).jpeg)
Help Us Understand What's Happening
![some-data...](/storage/users/A4543371-1E62-2385-EF62-EC1DC894E054_1692316512-image(212x212-crop).jpeg)
Help Us Understand What's Happening
![](/storage/users/71580669-4B57-F26C-31B2-087F5CFB48C1_1609353837-image(212x212-crop).jpeg)
Gerald R Gioglio
09/26/2022I did enjoy your piece, Valerie. Brought back a fond memory. Teachers, you gotta luv 'em. jg
ReplyHelp Us Understand What's Happening
![some-data...](/storage/users/A4543371-1E62-2385-EF62-EC1DC894E054_1692316512-image(212x212-crop).jpeg)
Valerie Allen
09/26/2022Gerald - glad you enjoyed this story. Our school days can bring back soooooo many memories! Thanks for your comments ~
Help Us Understand What's Happening
![](/storage/users/5D6F2FE0-9A36-13EC-B5E1-A8ED29BAC015_1632285588-image(212x212-crop).jpeg)
Lillian Kazmierczak
09/25/2022What a great tribute to teachers, specifically guidance counselors. I would have cried too If I red the letter. Nice piece of writing! Congratulations on short story star of the week!
ReplyHelp Us Understand What's Happening
![some-data...](/storage/users/A4543371-1E62-2385-EF62-EC1DC894E054_1692316512-image(212x212-crop).jpeg)
Valerie Allen
02/10/2023Thank you Lillian. Gotta give it to teachers! They can lead children in all directions ~
Help Us Understand What's Happening
![some-data...](/storage/users/5D6F2FE0-9A36-13EC-B5E1-A8ED29BAC015_1632285588-image(212x212-crop).jpeg)
Lillian Kazmierczak
02/10/2023Valerie this was a wonderful shout-out to teachers everywhere! Congratulations on short story star of the day!
Help Us Understand What's Happening
![some-data...](/storage/users/A4543371-1E62-2385-EF62-EC1DC894E054_1692316512-image(212x212-crop).jpeg)
Valerie Allen
09/26/2022Lillian - thank you; glad you enjoyed this story. Educators need all the gratitude they can get - they sure do earn it!
Help Us Understand What's Happening
![](/storage/users/5409FB9C-B08D-404A-AEB5-1656E97B7D38_1544319328-image(212x212-crop).jpeg)
JD
06/13/2022I liked the message in your story, Valerie, but I would have liked it better if the letter had got to the right person so they could have enjoyed the deserved appreciation, rather than being some strange mix-up or case of mistaken identity. It could have been an 'inspirational' story for me, but it didn't quite get there.
ReplyHelp Us Understand What's Happening
![some-data...](/storage/users/A4543371-1E62-2385-EF62-EC1DC894E054_1692316512-image(212x212-crop).jpeg)
Valerie Allen
09/26/2022Not a super happy ending, but still a tribute to educators everywhere. They have no idea how a word or a smile can make such a difference for a child. Thanks for your feedback ~
COMMENTS (5)