Seven years ago I received a blow to my ego but as the years have passed my bruised ego has fortunately begun to heal.

The moment the injury occurred I realized it had been my ego that had taken the hit. But just to be sure I grabbed my iPad and asked it for a definition of the word ego. I have never been able to stump my iPad and it quickly responded, “a person’s sense of self-esteem or self importance”.

Bingo! That’s exactly what I felt being destroyed that morning as my ego received incoming fire. Let me explain what happened.

A young author was having a book signing in our local library. Years earlier she had been a biology student in my Herman High School biology class. Since she had been my student I naturally wanted to view her presentation and procure a signed copy of her book.

Also since I too was an author I was hoping to share some publishing experiences with her.

Her book described her experiences as she became a nanny in Hollywood and began her first assignment with the family of Mr. Bruce Jenner! Yes, the same Bruce Jenner who graced the Wheaties box many years prior when he won a gold medal in the Olympic decathlon in 1976. (On a side note you are all probably aware of the fact that Mr. Jenner has changed his/her name to Caitlyn Marie Jenner.)

Mr. Jenner during the book’s narration separated from his first wife and joined forces with the famous reality show hosts family the Kardashians! Of course this was long before the reality show had begun and the Kardashians girls were still very young.

So you see why I thought the book might be an interesting read. 🙂

Kathie and I arrived at the book signing program early. We sat in chairs and visited with other book lovers that had come early too.

I was hoping the author would survey the crowd, spot me sitting there and wave. Perhaps she would even  run over to me and say something like, “Why, Mr. Larson, my old biology teacher! It’s so good to see you! Oh, by the way that frog dissection lab has never been of any use to me thus far in my life.” (She always had a great sense of humor.) 🙂

But it didn’t happen! She did however call out to various other folks she knew and recognized. I sat there beaming a big friendly smile but her face never showed any sign of recognizing her beloved biology teacher. 🙁

She played several numbers on the piano and proceeded to give a very informative talk as well as answer questions from those in attendance.

I didn’t ask any questions because my ego was starting to feel a little uneasy at this point. Could it be possible that the author had no clue who I was?

The program ended and people began lining up to get signed copies of her book.

When it was my turn I handed her the book to be signed and still no recognition flashed across her face.

Since her brother was also a student of mine I thought I’d start with a conversation opener and asked, “How’s your brother?”

She replied, “How do you know my brother?

“I had him in biology class at Herman just like I had you,” I answered.

Looking puzzled she replied, “What’s your name?”

Certain now she would remember me as I confidently replied, “Mr. Larson”.

She just shook her head. She did not remember be! My ego was smashed and fell into a heap on the city library floor!

Still in disbelief I went home and posted on Facebook something about what could I have done to have made my teaching more memorable? Perhaps accidently setting the biology room on fire with the Bunsen burner would have made it more memorable. 🙂

As the years passed I slowly got over the ego destruction. In fact it became cathartic for me and it made me a more humble person. I’m better for the experience although it took several years for me to realize that fact.

Then last year an amazing thing happened when I received a friend request from guess who? Yep, the author who didn’t remember me. There was no explanation for the request but I sure would have liked to have been privy to what caused the friend invite.

Slowly we began to warm up to each other as we liked various posts each of us shared. And then the big break through came a couple weeks ago when I posted a picture of a hummingbird feeding at our hummingbird feeder.

My new author friend actually communicated with me when she posted the comment, “Well that’s what you always taught me! 🙂

So my jubilant response was, “Does this statement mean you actually remember having me as your teacher? If so that means you have helped heal my bruised ego. 🙂

My forgetful past student replied with that famous abbreviation, one of the few that I recognize on Facebook, “lol”!

I think that means my seven years of angst are over. Now I’m really glad I didn’t do anything rash with the Bunsen burner back there at old Herman High. 🙂

Until next time. 🙂