The Story Behind Miss Pistachio
From Author, Miriam Rutland
My grandmother was one of the most powerful influences in my life as a young girl. We lived in South Carolina, so the trek to Athens, Georgia was one of my favorite times of the year. We went every summer and usually stayed for a couple of weeks.
Grandmama, as we called her, was a woman of faith. She always told me to "remember the Golden Rule" and to "as far as possible, be at peace with all men".
Her conversations with me were sprinkled with scripture verses and old Southern sayings. Grandmama didn't just talk about her faith- she lived it. She was generous, kind, and so very patient. She always put others first. She also always knew the latest score of the University of Georgia Bulldogs game.
Grandmama always made me feel special and so very loved. I wanted to be like her when I grew up. I was sad to leave when it was time to go home each summer. She had made such a remarkable impression on me. It wasn't just what she said that left such an impression on me- it was how she lived. Everyone who came in contact with her was blessed in some way by her presence.
When I thought of the character, Miss Pistachio, I knew that she had to look like my grandmother. My grandmother's appearance was always pristine- her hair in a tight, neatly woven bun, hose, a dress, and sensible shoes. I felt that the perfect teacher would surely look like Grandmama! Also, I gave Miss Pistachio Grandmama's smile. My grandmother smiled a lot; the wrinkles in her face were "smile wrinkles".
The events that take place in Miss Pistachio's Big Day are a compilation of many events from some of my own beloved teachers and my own teaching experience. What teacher hasn't had a student that forgot his or her lunch money? Most of the details that are in the story are based loosely on real life happenings.
I tried to incorporate the best traits of all of the beloved teachers in my life. The traits that made me want to be a teacher- patience, kindness, motherliness, joyfulness, and compassion. Miss Pistachio is a compilation of the best memories that I have as a child and as an educator of many wonderful students.
Miriam's Daughters