Nuns have gotten a bad rap. Books have been written about them by many who have been exposed to the Catholic school system.

But our much loved Tim Russert often told the story about his 7th grade teacher who inspired him. Among the many memories of his life which were included in the media this weekend, her name came coming up.

It reminded me of a nun who changed my life.

Sister Paulinus was my English professor in English and Creative Writing when I was a student at Marywood College in Scranton, Pa.

She was a terrifying and legendary character in the college. Barely five feet tall, almost buried by her huge nuns garb, elderly but with three Ph.D.’s, she introduced my first class with this threatening statement.

“Nobody gets an A from me unless you are a candidate for canonization in Rome. Don’t expect it.”

But my first paper for the class made her laugh. The assignment was to write about an interesting experience or person. Most wrote about something kind of like a “What I Did Last Summer” type of blather stuff.

Mine was about my college roommate whose high school boyfriend had written her a mean break up letter.

My paper was about how she responded to him.

She got a huge envelope and went door to door in the dorms and asked every girl for a picture of any old boyfriend anyone had. She collected over 100 photos.

She then mailed all the photos, including his, to her former boyfriend with this note.

“Thank you for your letter. Will you please look through these, pick out your photo, and let me know which one you are.”

All the young women who participated loved the idea. It was copied over and over by many. It was the consummate “Gotcha!” (You are free to borrow the idea if it appeals to you)

Although I was nowhere near canonization, having the record for being “campused” on campus and often being confronted by our House Mother at our dorm with questions like -

“Corinne, don’t you love God?”

Yes, sister.

“Don’t you love Jesus and the Blessed Mother?”

Yes, sister.

“Then, why are you not at Mass every day?”

I’ll do better, Sister.

I didn’t. But Sister Paulinus gave me an A on the paper anyway. And on every paper in several classes from then on.

We became friends. She would even single me out from time to time to take a walk with her. It was on those walks that she was my greatest teacher.

She told me, “You have the potential of becoming a very good writer.”

Then she added, “But you are missing an important ingredient.”

Really? Of course I thought I knew it all in those days.

“In order to be a good writer,” she continued, ” you have to have something to write about. You are lacking in worth while life experience at your age.”

I have thought over those words many times. And she was right. I was never a published writer until I had life experience. I had to wait until I had something to say.

I see that lesson in every book I read, every blog, even every article in the newspaper. The successful ones are based on the author’s lessons in life - sometimes very hard ones. Much study of human behavior. Practical experience.

Sister Paulinus died several years ago but we had stayed in touch. She lived to see my first book published. She was very pleased and proud.

Because the book was based on my life experience. It was not made up.

So, here’s to the nuns who loved us and taught us so much - not the ones with the bad press with the rulers in their hands.

Wherever you are, Sister Paulinus, thank you for being such a great teacher.

I inscribed the copy of the book I sent her with -

Dear Sister Paulinus -

With love and gratitude.

I just want you to know you got an A from me.

Thanks, Tim, for reminding me of this wonderful human being. We are missing you already.