Letters Page Three

I am honored to have been asked to speak today, but I feel even more honored to have had
the privilege of teaching and getting to know John Wesley. Three years ago I would have
stood before you as John Wesley’s teacher and told you of the qualities I have witnessed in
the classroom. Things like:
John Wesley’s had a keen sense of humor. One of the activities we do sometimes in class is
called “Making Words.” The students use various letters to see how many new words they
can make. John Wesley’s choice of words he would make would have everyone laughing.
Sometimes he even made some words that might not be the best to use at school like
describing bodily functions. Consequently, the teachers would have to hide their laughter
while getting him and the others back on task.
Another quality was the way he was so debonair with the girls. He was constantly playing
chase with one (or many) of the girls. You know, this is the way a 3rd grader expresses his
Wesley cutting her hair in first grade during stations. Boy, what a charmer he could be.
John Wesley’s intelligence was something I noticed. He worked hard and made good
grades. He would ask for help and apply the advice he was given. There were many times
he was the last one to finish an assignment because he was trying so hard to do his best.
Determined is another word to describe him – This week I found a spelling contract John
Wesley had turned in. This is an assignment where the students get to pick from different
spelling activities to complete during the week. I noticed his mom had an arrow pointing
to one assignment and had written, “Mom said so.” John Wesley had erased her comment
and drawn an arrow to a different assignment and written, “John Wesley said so.”
Needless to say, John Wesley was determined to march to his own beat.
He had an outgoing nature. When new students joined the class, his warm smile welcomed
them. It wasn’t long before he invited them to join in his favorite game – football. A
friend of mine called me this week to tell me of her meeting John Wesley for the first
time. He was with his mom at a Junior Service League function and struck up a
conversation with her. She was amazed at how well spoken he was for a 3rd grader.
John Wesley had a positive attitude & nice manners. Even when he was being corrected
for something in the classroom (usually talking) he responded with “Yes, ma’am” or “I’m
sorry,” and would accept the punishment with grace, not an argument. You may not
realize it, but that is a rarity in the classroom today.

However, today I stand before you not only as a proud teacher, but as a fellow mother.
Becoming a mother has made me realize that more important than the scholastic
aptitudes John Wesley possessed were the things that made him unique and special. The
things that made him John Wesley. Things like:
He had a love of life. We talked in class this week about many of the things we
remembered about John Wesley. One thing stood out in my mind. The children and I
agreed that there was only one time when they could remember John Wesley sad – when
Auburn beat Alabama. Other than that, he was always bubbling with joy – just the joy of
a new day. He always had a sparkle in his eye. Sometimes it was hard to tell if that
sparkle was his passion for life or a little bit of a prankster mixed in. When talking with
the children, they laughed as they remembered the old joke many of you know that John
Wesley would trick them with over and over. The “You’ve got something on your shirt”
and when they would look he would gently hit them on the chin.
He had a love of friends. When preparing for today, I tried to think of who were his
closest friends in the class. I couldn't’t come up with just one. All of the boys in the class
(and sometimes the girls) played together. John Wesley was usually one of the boys heading
up the football game at recess or “telephone” at lunch. In case you didn't’t know,
“telephone” is where you tell someone something and they pass it on down. The resulting
message is usually nothing like the beginning message. The children said this was a favorite
lunch game of John Wesley’s. They have even been playing it most of this past week in his
honor at lunch.
His generosity, kind heart and gentle spirit were evident in all things. John Wesley helped
his mom volunteer at a program called ASAP, which stands for After School Assistance
Program. John Wesley would take time away from his activities to read with other
children and help them in various ways. His mom, Heather, shared with me that when
they would leave there, John Wesley would always say how glad he was that he went. In
class, when someone needed a pencil John Wesley was always willing to loan one. If I
dropped something, he would jump to pick it up for me. If someone was sad, he would do
whatever it took to cheer them up. When one of his teachers, Ms. Lorraine, at Appletree
had surgery; he was always asking her if she felt ok and he wouldn't’t let her bend down to
pick up things she dropped. It was obvious he had been taught manners and how to treat
others.
John Wesley had a deep love for his family as they did for him. His family is one of those
families who were involved in every aspect of his life. There were many days that his
entire family – mom, dad, and sister, McCain would all come to eat lunch with him. When
he saw them, you could see the beaming sense of pride he felt. His mom, Heather
volunteered every week in my class. While there, she would always check on him to make
sure he had a snack or water bottle or was doing what he was supposed to. Sometimes he
might act like this embarrassed him with the “MOOOM!” response, but it was obvious to
outsiders how much love he had for his family because they always went the extra mile for
him. My favorite memory happened on Halloween day. His mom came to pick him up
with an afro wig on. When I brought John Wesley out to greet her, he ran and they
chased each other around the front of the school. John Wesley’s face turned beet red, but
you could tell he knew he was loved and enjoyed every minute. He even wrote at the
beginning of the year that the best day of his life was the day his little sister, McCain was
born.
Last, but definitely not least was his love of God. I’m sure the ministers here can tell you
more about this side of him. However, even though religion and God is not something we
are allowed to talk about much in school; it was obvious that John Wesley had been raised
in a Christian home with Christian values.

I’Ive only known one John Wesley in my lifetime. It is rare to see the likes of such a special
boy this side of heaven. Even though it is hard for us to understand why his life was so
brief, we know that the nine years he was on earth, he made a special mark that will
never be erased. We will miss him terribly, but cherish his memory daily. We will not only
go on to learn and teach, but to sprinkle life’s love lessons along the way in John Wesley’s
honor and memory. John Wesley will always have a desk in my room and a special place
in my heart. Thank you and may God bless you all.
   ~Kristi Fisher

John Wesley's Third Grade Teacher, Kristi Fisher wrote and read this at his
Life Celebration Ceremony. We have to think how much time teachers spend
with our kids, and what they see in them. Kristi is truly a special person and
John Wesley loved her dearly.When describing John Wesley, Heather and I
have a hard time of finding the right words to fully state who he was and is,
because of us being his parents, he is the most wonderful child ever! Having
someone else who knew and loved him helps us see who he was and is to
others. When we need to find the right words, this is the letter we go to.

Letters Page Three