(I am front center; Norman is front left)
A person who quickly gets angry causes trouble.
But a person who controls his temper stops a quarrel.
Proverbs 15:18 (NIV)
I was taught that it is best to avoid saying or doing anything that might lead to a fight. But when the day before graduation, a kid named “Pokey” tripped me on the stairs I lashed out at him with a few choice words, then pushed him, causing him to fall into a couple of kids behind him. When the kids laughed, Pokey swore he would get even with me.
After school Pokey went looking for me. When he couldn’t find me, Pokey picked a fight with the next best target, a Jewish kid named Norman Tennenbaum who had served as co-president of the Bible Club with me. (Imagine that: a Bible Club in a public school in Washington, D.C.)
As I left school, I saw the crowd that had gathered around Pokey and Norman, who were punching at one another, but I chose to not get involved.
The next day was graduation and the school awards ceremony. The principal called the names of students who had won attendance awards, sports awards, and service awards. Then he started to talk about the American Legion Award.
“This award,” the principal began, “is given to the student who has proven to be an outstanding citizen. He is respectful of his teachers and he gets along with all the other students.”
I was dumbfounded when the principal called my name. I humbly accepted the award and took it home to show my Mom. When we looked at the certificate, we couldn’t help but notice that another name had been covered with white-out. The name: Norman Tennenbaum.
I later confirmed that before the fight, Norman had been the intended recipient of the award. Had I controlled my anger, Pokey would not have felt the need to strike out, the fight may not have happened, and Norman would have received the accolade he deserved.
Norman went on to Wilson High School; I went to Anacostia. We never saw each other again. Over the years, I have tried unsuccessfully to locate Norman to tell him the story and say I am sorry.
“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember
that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.”
Matthew 5:23-24 (NIV)
If anyone reading this knows Norman Tennenbaum, I would appreciate it if you would share this story with him and tell him I truly am sorry for what happened so many decades ago.
Blessings,
Don & Bonnie
Because He Loves Us Press 