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Mrs. Todd’s second grade elementary class was small, just 23 students. And because of the rural setting of the school it was often by passed when it came to computers, top-flight teaching technology, and other modern contrivances.

But Mrs. Todd was a good teacher. Innovative and creative,and there was no lack of genuine, down-to-earth education at Fulmont. She saw personally to that -- from the pleasurable learning of her pupils to the general satisfaction of her pupil’s parents.

There were no tiered learning groups, no special classes for either remedial OR exceptional students. All 23. All the time. Everyday. Quite a challenge. Giving personal time, trying to allow each student to progress at the rate of their own capability, yet challenging the entire class to move forward together in their journey toward knowledge.

Her most challenging task in this light was teaching Jeremy. He was a special needs child. For the most part accepted by his classmates, but sometimes just tolerated. He had health problems that had made his entire eight years of life an uphill struggle to be normal.

But Jeremy wasn’t “normal.” A very slow learner, often distracted by a faraway world in his own mind, not always cognizant of the real world of reading, ‘riting, and ‘rithmatic. Mrs. Todd gave him as much attention as she could and she worked with his parents so that they could tutor him and assist her as much as possible. She loved Jeremy but she often came near to losing patience and was sometimes frustrated by his presence in what would ordinarily have been an above average group of second graders.

For this particular Spring day Carol had planned for a free-for-all playground excursion that would stimulate interest, be fun, promote learning in an unusual fashion and provide an equal opportunity for everyone to contribute to a special lesson.

She had purchased a bargain bag of plastic hollow Easter eggs from the local discount store, gave each child one and sent them out on to the grounds to collect a specimen of Springtime. They were thrilled at the prospects of fulfilling their assignment; each determined to find a treasure for their egg that was unique and unfound by the others.

With assignment completed and all of the eggs piled on Mrs. Todd’s desk they eagerly awaited her disclosure of the contents of each.

One by one she opened them and each child identified their egg by color and contents. Bobby Jones had actually caught a live butterfly in his . . . and it’s release brought applause.

Opened, a small flower. “That’s mine,” said Suzy “Flowers are my favorite Spring thing!”

Next, a blade of grass. “My dad has to mow our lawn now!”said Tommy.

Another, a leaf. Then a fuzzy dandelion.

But then she opened an egg . . . an to her surprise . . .it was empty.

At first she was caught off guard but then realized . . .this must be Jeremy’s egg. He must have failed to understand the object of their search. She quickly and quietly closed the egg and placed it in the“done” pile and began opening other prize eggs, only barely missing a beat.

She felt embarrassed for Jeremy but she was gratified to see how much he was enjoying the learning game. Laughing, clapping, and nodding his head in approval at the revelation of each egg. He had run and scurried about the playground along with all of the other classmates during the gathering time. She wondered how he had missed the point in the end.

When she had finished she summed up the lesson about the season but noticed that Jeremy had his hand in the air. She never knew what to expect on these occasions but he was very polite and respectful, so she always tried to acknowledge him. “What is it Jeremy?”

“Teacher, you forgot to show MY egg!” he declared with somehurt in his voice. Not knowing exactly what to do next she could only feign ignorance herself. “Which egg was yours, Jeremy?”

“That green one, there, with the speckles on it.”

It WAS in fact the empty one, but now she was determined to find out what was on Jeremy’s mind that evidently WASN’T in his egg.

“Your egg is empty, Jeremy, did you forget to put something Spring in it?”

With a great smile on his face he responded to her amazement, “No, ma’am. My egg is empty because Spring is EASTER time, and that’s when Jesus came back to life after being dead. When they came to look inside His grave it was EMPTY . . . just like my egg!”

Too choked with emotion to respond herself, the children of the class were not so bound. They all yelled and applauded and whooped their approval as Jeremy glowed. He had claimed, quite obviously, the favorite Spring thing of the day. It was one memorable day among many others in a very remarkable year for Mrs. Todd’s class. But the sad note is that Jeremy’s health worsened and he was unable to complete the year as one of Fulmont Elementary’s “special”students.

He spent the latter part of the school year in and out of the hospital. Trying hard to get well. The best doctors, loving family and friends. But Jeremy lost his battle and finally his life.

He would never be forgotten. He enjoyed and was enjoyed every day of his brief life. He inspired all who knew him. And they were most lifted by the simple faith that he had in the one who defeated sickness and death -- giving hope to everyone of ultimate victory over the trials of this world’s life.

There were many whose lives were touched in attendance at Jeremy’s memorial service. And there were flowers. But the most memorable sight that day was a small classmate’s casket. Decorated on top with 23 plastic Easter Eggs. All of them hinged open . . . . all of them empty.

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