Jenifer Montgomery

Our differences are our gifts.

Jenifer Montgomery was the first friend that I made.
I was new to Lincoln School we were both in fourth grade.
The first week of September in the water fountain line
she turned around and suddenly spoke to me in sign.

At first I didn't get it when I saw her standing there.
Her hands were making shapes and waving in the air.
But Jenny kept on trying until I got it through my head;
I finally figured out that this was what she said.

I can hear with my eyes and talk with my hands
I can be anything if I believe I can.
I can hear with my eyes and talk with my hands
You might be surprised at all I understand.

We held our conversations at recess in the yard.
At first communication was kind of slow and hard.
Jenifer was patient and I learned to fingerspell
and by Christmas vacation, I could say as well. (Chorus)

Some of the other kids in school
would laugh at Jenny and be cruel.
I thought my teacher would understand.
So I talked to him and we came up with a plan.

Next day our homeroom teacher said, "Listen closely, class.
We've got a brand new subject, that everyone must pass."
I smiled like a tiger when my friend Jenny came
right up by the blackboard and showed everyone her name.

At first kids were complaining as she taught us every day.
But learning someone's language helps you see things their way.
Every week a few more kids would ask Jenny to play.
When school let out for summer, our whole class could sign and say. (Chorus)

© Stuart Stotts 1991

On Stuart's Are We There Yet, Generations' Dream Maker, Corinne Rockow's I Sing Every Day of My Life and Two of a Kind's Love Makes a Family