They Touched My Life Author:Robert Rose The only sound heard in the hushed auditorium packed with 400 proud parents was his shoes hitting the concrete aisle. The child in charge of the record player reached me as I sat in the last seat in the back row. "Mr.Rose, " he said in a quiet voice, "I forgot the records." "Get them - hurry up!" I said through clenched teeth and a pathet... more »ic smile. It took about two minutes as he rushed to the room, got the records, returned, and finally began the music for the dance. During the entire process the children, two sets of six on the stage in circles and four sets of children in front of the stage stood straight without moving or talking. The class went on to perform, dances, songs, and skits for one and a half hours. Not once did I do or say anything after giving him the room key. I sat in the back as my very competent and independent sixth graders made me so proud that I kept fighting tears. More of what they did that day is in the book. And, this is just one of the many anecdotes of the children, parents, teachers, and supervisors who deeply TOUCHED MY LIFE during the first twelve years of my 42 year career.« less