Oh, my Gosh. What is there to say about this beautiful day?? Honestly. Okay...Work. Is it really work? No. Its not. Every blessed moment humbles me. What you dont know is that the backbone of the department for so many years - her name was Becky, and she died of cancer a little over a month ago. Do you know what its like to know without a shadow of a doubt that you were handed a job of such import, of such position, solely by God And then you find out that your name matches the name of a woman who was there before you, who was integral to the daily operations and lost her life?! To Cancer. Do any of us, ever, in the mundane, in the irritations, in the what-have-yous - Do any of us REALLY understand the miraculous gifts we receive that are so gracious and perhaps even too giving? Do we recognize the everyday miracles from the smallest or seemingly inconsequential to the extraordinarily abundant? Oh, wow. I have big shoes to fill. For sure. Truly. On top of that, what an INCREDIBLE rush of pride to pick up my extremely powerful and grown son directly from football practice tonight. His first game is a week from today. Im so excited for him!! Cant wait!! On top of that, I cried repeatedly as I picked up Alison from her last day of work. Her co-workers had a potluck for her: She received cards, balloons, hugs, and so many tears. You see, I didnt just raise her; I had help from a bevy of incredible women. She braved a move - a move away from friends to another state - a move from an enormous, affluent High School with every single amenity possible (2500+ students total), and arrived in a small town in a rural setting that couldnt even begin to boast by comparison. No French. No significant Arts. Nothing. But she did it. And bravely. And she not only soared, touch lives, became the Student Body Secretary, but graduated with scholarships and will attend UC DAVIS in five short weeks. (She just got her roommate assignments this week! SHE IS THRILLED.) More than that - she started her job last year and up until the first few weeks of her Senior year, she was happy. Exactly a year ago this week, she came to us so absolutely beside herself with the workload - a balance of ASB, AP classes, and work, and felt so overwhelmed she sobbed her angst, wondering if she could manage it all. James and I counseled her to listen to her heart; to understand that nothing in this life is absolute. We are gifted with the opportunity to make decisions and yet allowed the latitude to shift with them. We told her that we would stand by her needs and that quitting would always be two weeks away if she felt so inclined. Well, she didnt quit. And I know why. She needed to earn money for her own peace of mind, but she also needed every woman at Hardesters because they gave to her the love, valuation and became family.. Today, tears, hugs, more hugs, and an incredible store full of second Moms honored her. Ive been bawling on and off for a couple of hours now just because of how grateful and stunned I am at the blessings and experiences, love and support, she has received. You see, Alison turns 18 tomorrow; and, well - even though she will be back, the Moms who have been there for her are saying goodbye to a woman-child. Every time we see her from now on, she will grow into her own. Blahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. Wow. More tears. More pride. More gratitude for every woman who has looked after a girl who is stepping into womanhood and becoming. I love you all. Added to all of this (yes, my heart is bursting!), I have twins who are elated over the opportunity of sharing 5th Grade together. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, to every single teacher who loves my sons as I do. I value you beyond anything I could coherently express (laughs - right?! Obviously!). Its the first time in the last three weeks when Ive seen the hollow, yet brave, look upon Daniels face, finally light into genuine happiness, ease, and contentment. He is solid and set for the year. Over and above that, the Saxon math books & respective McGuffey readers have shipped. Education will be and remain exceptional; I will reinforce traditional principles at home while yet feel completely satisfied that my kids will have the necessary enrichment they deserve. I couldnt ask for a better teacher. Ms. Moore: You give so much, shape and impact so many little lives. Im so thankful. So grateful. SO GRATEFUL. Upon my next day off, my first priority will be to visit the Elementary School staff to properly express my thanks. Sighs. I think Im done. I think so. Even so. My heart rests with my family, with beautiful women who need to remember their worth and that they CAN DO IT. Make it. GET THERE. My heart is filled beyond measure. What a week. And there - always sustaining, always my rock - there is My husband - My heartbeat. My biggest supporter. There is James. Im humbled. He gives. He gives so enormously from his heart and his soul, I wish I could truly express how much it makes me just feel sooooooo completely humbled and stunned. Anyway, what a day. What a day. Happiest FRIDAY.
Posted on: Sat, 23 Aug 2014 04:40:17 +0000