A friend has written a book about her experience as a teacher—“They Made Me Laugh.” She shares stories and challenges from her years of teaching, and I can tell from what she writes, she was the kind of teacher everyone would love to have. She brought out the best in all of her students by getting to know their individual needs. She listened to them.

As school begins this fall and our children, or grandchildren, or neighbors go off to school, let’s hope that all teachers will bring out the best in their students. That is my one wish: that every individual will know and have the opportunity to use their God-given gifts. Wouldn’t it be heaven on earth if we all had the freedom to offer our talents and be appreciated, honored and respected, regardless of how the world judges their worth? Sometimes the seemingly most insignificant offering is the greatest.