C2[·湖南卷]Inmylivingroom,thereisaplaque(匾)thatadvisesmeto“Bloom(开花)whereyouareplanted
”ItremindsmeofDorothy
IgottoknowDorothyintheearly1980s,whenIwasteachingEarlyChildhoodDevelopmentthroughaprogramwithUnionCollegeinBarbourville,Kentucky
Thejobresponsibilitiesrequiredoccasionalvisitstotheclassroomofeachteacherintheprogram
Dorothystandsoutinmymemoryasonewho“bloomed”inherremotearea
DorothytaughtinaschoolinHarlanCounty,Kentucky,AppalachianMountainarea
TogettoherschoolfromthetownofHarlan,Ifollowedaroadwindingaroundthemountain
Intheeight-milejourney,Icrossedthesamerailroadtrackfivetimes,givingthepossibilityofgettingcaughtbythesametrainfivetimes
Ratherthanfeelingexcitedbythisdrivethroughthemountains,Ifounditdepressing
Thepovertylevelwasshockingandthesmallshabbyhousesgavemethegreatestfeelingofhopele