Poker News

Donna Blevis

This issue I fully intended on completing my review of Mississippi cardroom until I stumbled onto a journal entry I wrote in 1990. I’d like to share this very personal piece with you. “It was 1961-1962. Time for the 6th grade. Time for 12-year-old Donna to go from the two-room school house in the coal mining camp to the gigantic, six-story brick school inthe adjoining town. She was scared . . . really scared.

Not only was the move a big step, with taking the bus and all, but she had experienced significant physical changes. In the 5th grade, she had grown seven inches during the school year. She was now 5′7″ and in intense pain from the rapid growth - both physical and emotional.

The slower growing tendons strained to rip away from the bones at her heels and legs. The pain was constant, sharp, and stabbing with each step. The doctors said the pressure must be relieved to give the tendons time to catch up. The best way was to elevate her heels by two inches. Either have expensive, custom elevated shoes made or buy something off the rack.

So, off the rack came lace-up, chunky-heel black shoes just like Grandma wore. How mortifying! All Donna wanted to do was hide. And, it’s pretty tuff for a 12-year-old girl to hide when she is 5′7″ with clunky, black elevated shoes . . . especially when she was taller than everyone in her class but the teacher.

And, what a wonderful teacher Donna had that year! Her name was Miss Clara Gillenwater. She was tall and proud and had a special Mona Lisa smile that frequented her lips . . . a smile that was nearly always there when you looked at her just right.

She wore one piece, shirt-waist dresses that were perfectly pressed. She stood erect and moved with grace and ease. She spoke softly, methodically. She was in control of herself and of her class. A disapproving glance from this woman would calm down most any disruptive student.

Clara Gillenwater was sensitive. She knew that Donna was experiencing a critical time in her life. Without doing anything obvious, Miss Gillenwater tendered special care on this frail, little girl trapped inside a rapidly growing body.

This little girl looked like an adult, and many people expected her to act like an adult . . . whatever that meant. Miss Gillenwater also expected great things of Donna, but in a way that made Donna feel she could do them.

At Christmas Donna made a red, strawberry pin cushion for her special teacher, and the most amazing thing happened. Even BEFORE Christmas vacation was over, Donna received a hand written “Thank You” note from Miss Gillenwater. Imagine . . . it came in the mail just for Donna.

Today, nearly 30 years later, it’s easy to remember thegood feelings and gratitude I felt towards Clara. (I’ve never called her that before.) There are the few events I can pinpoint, but there was so much more.

In fact, she still has an impact on me. As I write this, I find myself overly concerned with grammar and spelling . . . despite the spell check feature on my word processor.

Today, I truly believe that the seeds and foundation for my success in life were planted and built during that critical year . . . nurtured by Clara Gillenwater. Because of that special teacher, I remember her rather than my personal trials and tribulations. She was the perfect role model for me at that time in my life. She helped me stand erect and be proud . . . that teacher with the quiet power.”

Poker is a lifestyle game that benefits or is hindered by a person’s life foundation. This is where some of my strength emanates. Who helped foster yours?

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