She was speaking from experience none of us had a right to romanticize.

One Saturday Amanda came into the center carrying an oversized envelope.

Inside were drawings from the homework group.

The children had made pictures of favorite grown-ups.

One drawing showed Clarence seated under a giant green tree while children read books around him.

“Why am I the only one sitting?” he asked.

“Because you’re the teacher,” Amanda replied.

Clarence looked at the picture for a long time.