Most everyone knows the little jingle, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.”

My guess is someone who was being bullied devised this little catch phrase, and in an attempt to stop the verbal abuse decided to let the perpetrator think his or her name-calling was just going in one ear and out the other.

Unfortunately, words do matter, and sometimes they can be as powerful as a physical blow.

However, the other side of the coin is that words can also have an influential effect if used positively.

When I was a student at Jett Elementary School here in Vicksburg, I had a fifth grade teacher by the name of Mrs. Rickles.

I do not remember everything about her class, but I do remember she was pretty, and she was nice to me.

Also, that same year, it had become a trend for us fifth-grade girls to have autograph books. An autograph book is a bound book in which anyone, hopefully famous people, would sign their name.

Anyway, most of my girlfriends owned one of these autograph books, and since there were not any movie stars roaming the streets of Vicksburg, we had to rely on our friends and families to fill the pages.

A few of my clever friends also would add in a message with their signature like, “Roses are red, lilies are white, here is my autograph to prove I can write.”

The boys who signed my autograph book typically would write their names and then refer to their perceived athletic abilities and aspirations.

“Babe Ruth Jr.,” “the great hero,” “gram-slam kid” and “home-run hitter” were just a few.

Of course, my parents and grandparents wrote lovely messages about how much they loved me and how proud they were of me, which was nice to read. Let’s face it, I totally expected this of family members, but there is one message in my little autograph book that I did not expect. It was from Mrs. Rickles.

She wrote:

“Dear Terri,

You are a very cute and sweet girl, and I have enjoyed teaching you. I will be expecting to hear of great things from you!  Keep up the good work, and God Bless.”

Then she signed her name, but added a P.S.

“Keep smiling, it’s one of the things I’ll remember most about you.”

Mrs. Rickles’ initial message was expected from a teacher. It was her additional words I have never forgotten.

My teacher said she would remember “my smile” instilling in me a confidence every time I grin.

School is out for the summer, and we have acknowledged the students who have graduated from high school. My guess is most of these kids have reached their goal due in part to teachers like my Mrs. Rickles, teachers who have not only educated them but who have also encouraged and imparted a since of self-assurance that hopefully will remain with them for a long time like it did for me.