Wednesday, October 14, 2020
I would like to offer my heartfelt condolences to Franco's family. I was so sad to read of his passing. Tonight I was talking to a friend about the best teacher I ever had, and I decided to look him up so I could write him a letter of thanks...some 35 years after he taught me in fifth grade at St. Mary's Catholic School in Cranbrook.
I was only ten years old, but right away I knew that Mr. Lesciutta (we called him Mr. L) was a man to be respected, admired, believed, listened to, and cherished. I'll never forget how instead of typical reprimand, he would make us do push-ups in the classroom (a fate which befell most often the boys in the class). He taught us many things, but the most important lesson we learned was how to love and respect ourselves. I was a little tomboy girl with dirty running shoes who played football with the boys at recess. I didn't feel pretty, and while I was a good student on paper, I didn't have much self-confidence. Mr. L believed in me, became a kind of mentor and father figure, even though I was too young to understand what either of those things were. I know I'm not alone when I say that I have thought about him quite often through the years, and I've even referred to him in my writing.
I'm so sorry I didn't get the chance to say good-bye as I would have liked, but I will in my prayers tonight.
You will never be forgotten, Mr. L. Thank you for playing such a vital part in my childhood, and for gracing me with the knowledge that there are beautiful souls in the world like you.
I will do a push-up for you tonight.
May you rest in peace.
Love always,
Trisha Cull
