When I was a freshman in High school I had an amazing teacher, Mrs. Carolyn McCabe. She was exactly what I needed her to be at that time in my life, as things were not optimal at home.
I took Honors English all 4 years of school. It was a no-brainer for me. I'm an avid reader with a very strong vocabulary. Mrs. McCabe taught this class and she and I had an immediate bond. She is a very whimsical woman, with a taste for advocacy, human rights, and had a comprehensive list of books that were right up my alley. In her class she introduced books such as Wuthering Heights, The Great Gatsby, and my favorite book of all times, Mrs. Mike.
I also took a Women's Studies class with her in my junior year. In this class I was introduced to Maya Angelou (I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings), Toni Morrison (The Bluest Eye), Rachael Carson (The Silent Spring), and Melba Patillo-Beals (Warriors Don't Cry) all cutting edge woman in this century. Honestly I think Mrs. McCabe could have taught wood shop and I would have found it fascinating.
During my freshman year, however, she told me about this little superstitious ritual that she took part in every month. Apparently if a person says "Rabbit, Rabbit, Rabbit" before they say anything else at 12:00 midnight, or immediately when they wake up on the 1st of the month, they will have good luck all month long.
Now, I'm a realist, I like research; I like provable, measurable facts. I don't freak out about Friday the 13th, black cats, broken mirrors, ladders or spilled salt, and I don't have a "lucky" anything. Except this. I have said "rabbit, rabbit, rabbit" every month since Mrs. McCabe told me about it. I don't know why, and I never questioned it. I did research it once, and there are variations of this superstition, but it dates back centuries...
Mrs. McCabe and I still keep in touch via snail mail. She no longer teaches, which is great for her because she is finally able to use all of her other skills, painting, writing, and scrappin' & stampin,' but my heart breaks for those who never experienced her passion as an educator. She left an impression on me.
Recently, I told her "I still say 'Rabbit, Rabbit, Rabbit.'"
She was pleased.
4 comments:
I said that this morning, actually on my way to work to myself. I heard about that superstition on Nickelodeon one time. (I think I muffed up the spelling, but it is that kids channel, this was like 10+ years ago!) Its funny the things that you remember, every freeking first of the month! When I started reading this blog, I had no idea it would go on to this- too funny!
I had McCabe for Honors English my freshman year at school too Jessi and I also remember the story of Rabbit Rabbit Rabbit. 99% of the time I remember that superstition every month about mid morning the first day of the month (after I've said a bunch of stuff). So while I don't ever take part (because I forget to) I usually think about it each month. She was a wonderful teacher and fabulous woman. Thanks for bringing up those fond memories :)
Well, I did not have Mrs. McCabe but I have become aware of this ritual every month. Like for instance, I happened to wake up last month around 3AM in the morning and Jessi mutters "rabbit, rabbit, rabbit." I say "What?" after hearing her say "rabbit, rabbit, rabbit." Then Jessi tells me that I "ruined it" and she falls back to sleep.
The whole night I had no idea what she was saying except that I ruined something. The next morning I was informed of my bad luck for the upcoming month
Hahaha, your a trip Jessica.
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