Has somebody said something to you, that changed your life entirely?

I had a difficult family life, for various reasons, and not only did I want to leave school as fast as possible, but I suspect my parents would have liked that to save them anymore bother with me.

So with that in mind, two years before graduation, and of school leaving age. I had decided that indeed I was leaving school.

I was a cheeky and obnoxious pupil and had lot’s to say, was always in detention and generally baulked at authority.

One day one of the most feared teachers Mr Whatsit, shouted from a class room window above me. I was startled and he beckoned me to come upstairs. I was in ‘shit” again for something.

“I don’t care” I said, I am leaving at the end of the year. He was giving me strife and stopped abruptly. For about two hours he told me, how intelligent I was, how I was worth more than (this?) and how important it was for me to stay on.

That day changed something inside of me. If Mr NastyWhatsit could see so much in me. Why couldn’t I? I did stay and passed with university entrance. Not bad for a girl who only started school at 12. That person changed my life. Who has changed yours?