Mr. Moses was my 8th grade history teacher.
We were out of town this past week and weren't able to attend the memorial — on a plane during the live stream. But I have been thinking.
The photo above is from either a Christmas party or an end-of-year celebration. I don't remember much from that time, at least not the school learning part. What I do remember is that we had a group of friends I am still friends with today. Mr. Moses taught us about history and government. I don't remember the lessons. But I remember the man.
He had the warmest hugs, even back then. He truly loved everyone. He always had that infectious smile. He always made you feel like you were his.
Years and years later, when I started Vela Farms, he would come in or see me somewhere and say, “She's one of mine. She's a good one.”
Did he say it to everyone? Yes, he did. Did he mean it? Yes, he did.
He had a way of making you feel special even though he said the same thing to the next person. And somehow there was no competition in it. You were accepted as one of his. It actually made you look at that other person differently. Oh, you're one of his too? Then we have something in common. We all STILL have something in common.
Was Mr. Moses a saint? No. He was human.
I never talked religion or faith with him, and I regret that. But I saw the love of Jesus when I saw Mr. Moses. He truly loved you. He hugged you sweaty at the gym or fresh at an event — he hugged you. He never missed an opportunity to encourage you. That shaped me. It still does.
This week, one of his sent me this photo out of the blue. She just said, “I think you might like this.” That's exactly what I mean. We were, and are, joined by his love. Forty-plus years later. Love.
My comment back to her was, “He raised an army.”
Regardless of what was going on in the city, HE LOVED VICTORIA. He never spoke ill of government, or of anyone for that matter. He never had a negative thing to say. He just did his part to make Victoria better. If I drill down to it, that's probably where my own heart for Victoria started — back in 8th grade. There were other teachers who influenced me too: Mrs. Ross, Mrs. Frazier, and so many more.
So my pondering this morning is this. Who will fill his shoes? Who is the next great encourager? Who will show up at the smallest event and treat it like it's the Olympics?
I think the answer is us.
I'm proud to say I'm one of his. Now it's our turn to step up — take the example he set and live it every day. That's what changes Victoria. Serve on boards. Run for office. Make a difference. Be present. Be involved. That's what he taught us.
My heart breaks for our loss, but I am encouraged by his army. We have the pictures, we have the memories, and we carry what he gave us. This is why I believe there are great things on the horizon for Victoria. He set the example. Now it's our turn to be more like Mr. Moses and show the love of Jesus to everyone.
Let's make our city a place of encouragement and acceptance. Let's make it a place where people say, “Oh, you're from Victoria!”
Treat every opportunity and every event like it's the Olympics — because to someone, it is.
Sara Vela is a 5th-generation Victorian, 14 years a small business owner, and the founder of Shop Twice Victoria. She and her family run Vela Farms on John Stockbauer Drive.