Page 247 - 1994 Wardlaw Hartridge

Sometimes I think that all of the personality in the world is bundled into the woman who sits in the front office of my school and answers the telephones. Students simply know Mrs. Fisher as that friendly little receptionist who lends them a stapler or some scissors. Parents might hear her voice if they call to ask a question or two. But very few know what kind of woman lies behind that voice.
I have always liked creative people, even if that means someone who thinks a little bit differently or wears a strange hat to school everyday. But Mrs. Fisher is one of the most mind-bogglingly creative people I've ever known. If you visit her house, you will see her art studio in the basement and her paintings and etchings in every room. Leaning against the wall in her livingroom is the banjo that she plays in a ragtime band. She doesn't read music so she simply plays and sings hundreds of songs from memory. In photo albums on the shelf are all the pictures she's taken, including some that were printed in a photo magazine. This especially has endeared her to me ever since I took up photography. Now when I have a roll of film developed, I hold her opinion first and foremost.
Actually, no matter what the subject, Mrs. Fisher is an excellent person to talk to. She is more interested in the latest book that she is reading, a nature show that she saw, or the conflict in the Gulf. She is extremely perceptive and will always give a thoughtful, candid opinion and not just what her listener wants to hear. One time, I remember she was complimenting a picture in my house. A few minutes later she put her glasses on, then laughed and said, "I just realized how good his picture looks without my glasses." The best thing, though, is just to watch her talk and hear her laugh. As she talks, her hands fly up in great animated gestures. She can find humor in almost anything and though she's quite short, she lets out this huge deafening laughter. Whenever I am in a school play, I can always tell if she is in the audience; I hear her laughter over everyone else's.
Patricia G. Fischer 1934-1993
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