Lynne recalls that as a young child, she was awkward and had difficulty making friends. In grade six, her father had transferred her to a new school. She had made one friend. But then one day, she had a melt down. Lynne was learning sculpting at school. Class was ending and one of the students was given the job to collect every student’s sculpture for storage.

This student picked up Lynne’s sculpture and plopped into a box, but it started toppling. A struggle began to ensue between Lynne and this student. Lynne wanted to fix it, but the student wanted to fulfill the duty of her task and go.

They continued to struggle and finally Lynne burst into tears. The teacher came over to console her, but then other thoughts took over. What would all the students think of her? Would she lose the only friend she just made? Would she be doomed to having no friends again? These thoughts further fuelled her cries.

The teacher, fortunately, was able to calm Lynne down. Gently and with compassion, her teacher wrapped her arms tightly around Lynne, imparting to her a sense of peace and the continued belief that she has always had in her. Realizing this, Lynne knew she couldn't give up. She faced her fears and eventually returned to class and was welcomed back in.

It was one of Lynne’s worst moments in her life, but it was a happily tearful lesson learned. In Lynne’s words, “My teacher taught me a very important lesson...that the actions of a single person in a single moment can make or break a child”.