Reunion With Old Teacher Gets EMOTIONAL

[karlniilo]

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[codykp.]

Immediately taking off his hat shows the respect he has for that man.

[Lmm]

"Hello Ian, long time no see". That sounded like an angel who visited him, and for Ian it also must have felt like that.

[monopoly]

His Teacher Sounds like he speaks from heaven...so soft and sweet.

[diyaakhazaii]

The hug killed me, he was like a little child hugged the most important person in his life... God bless you mr sydney.

[weezbee]

Mr. Pigden's voice is so sweet and full of benevolence and wisdom

[droopmountain]

So many boys grow up without ever having a Mr. Pigden in their lives. Ian was truly blessed.

[a.barker]

Warms my heart the undying gratitude he has for this man.

[robinshano]

Humility, love, respect, appreciation, admiration, a beautiful story. On both their parts.

[camvick]

His reaction makes me feel like he mourned when he heard his mentor was gone. Must have been overwhelming to see him in the flesh

[jamesnite]

Sydney Pigden's father was a milkman who fought in WWI and didn't have much money. Both parents died when he was 15, forcing him to drop out of school (despite being top of his class) to find work.

His former headmaster was determined he get an education and funded him through evening classes, allowing him to get his school certificate.

Sydney became a spitfire pilot in the RAF and fought in WWII aged just 17. After the war he married Aileen, a girl he met at a dance when stationed in Scotland and they had a son, who died shortly after birth. Aileen died in 1968 when he was just 46.

Sydney became a teacher in 1949 and ended up teaching at Turnham junior school for 30 years. Later in life he donated his RAF mementoes to the Shoreham Aircraft Museum.

Ian Wright grew up in a violent home. His dad was absent, his mother was alcoholic and his step-dad was abusive.

Because of this, he was a difficult child at Turnham junior school. However, his teacher Mr Pigden taught him to read and write, "but most importantly how to keep calm and communicate with people instead of just flying off the handle".

Sydney took young Ian under his wing and taught him discipline and respect, saying that if he was naughty he wouldn't get to play football. He gave Ian responsibilities like being milk monitor and collecting the register from the teachers, something that made Ian feel valued and important.

Sydney was also Ian's first football coach and would encourage him not to blast the ball, but pass it into the net, "like Jimmy Greaves". Ian called it "a piece of advice that stayed with me my whole career".

Ian Wright went on to become Arsenal's top scorer in their 100+ year history with 185 goals, only surpassed later on by the legendary Thierry Henry.

When WWII ended, Sydney was chosen to do the WWII Victory celebration fly-past over Buckingham Palace, aged only 23. Despite this, he said that the proudest moment of his life was seeing Ian play football for England.

Sydney Charles Pigden died on Dec 27, 2017. Ian Wright unveiled an honorary plaque for Sydney at Turnham junior school to highlight his life and the importance of mentorship. Ian said getting to unveil the plaque commemorating Mr Pigden was "the greatest thing I've ever done in my life, to the greatest man in the world."

[NakioJohnson]

Real men cry. It's part of a life well lived. I'm 49 and I cry over dog food commercials. This is beautiful and heartwarming. 😊

[thefpvlife]

I tried for so many years to locate my favorite most helpful teacher here in NYC and no one in the board of education has ever followed up. Mrs. Loretta Adkins of IS88 during the early 80's ... I thank you for believing in me.

[karmelicanke]

'Hello Ian, long time no see', sounds like a gentle caress, a fatherly embrace. So touching.

[flossimofliss]

I will never get tired of watching this. It's just beautiful ❤

[marianelson]

The way he says, "Hello Ian, long time no see", I hope to be greeted in Heaven one day by my loved ones like this. Makes me miss my Mom so much.

You can really see and hear the love, care, and respect the two have for each other. What a Blessing to be able to visit with someone you admire so much that you thought was gone. Truly a gift.

[CiaoBeya]

You can see how moved Mr. Pidgin was. He had no idea how loved and appreciated he was by this young man. What a blessing.

[janiecamden]

No matter how many times this comes across my feed I watch it over and over. A good happy and healthy cry is so therapeutic. Bless them both.

[d_evolution]

No matter how many times I've watched this it still bring tears to my eyes... That's what you called respect.

[Ze.Drucifurr]

We should all hope to have such an important person in our lifes. Anyone who is capable of creating that level of emotion has had a profound impact. That's a true father figure.