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Thursday, January 14, 2010

Hey

Begin

Have you ever had just the perfect moment, on some random day after work, tired and worn out by the sinus infection that apparently came to stay, just getting ready to crash and take a little nap? I know I haven't really blogged in a while. I've been conserving what little energy I had for making it through the day at school and creating a little art on the side. But I think I'm making a comeback. Something happened today that I had to tell you about. It might not seem like such a big thing to you. In fact, it was a just little thing. But it was a big thing to me. In fact, it was what's known as an epiphany. I realized that I am the luckiest person in the world. I got an e-mail from a girl (well, now, she's actually a young lady) that I coached in cheerleading 14 years ago. Yes, I said 14 years ago. She said she was thinking about me and found me on Facebook. How nice is that? She was always special to me. It's funny how some kids are. In her letter, she told me I was an "encourager during those awkward middle school years." BTW, Mel, if you're reading this, you were never awkward. I thought you looked like Julia Roberts in the 8th grade. But anyway, after reading her letter, just before I dozed off, I said a little prayer, and I thanked God for letting me be a teacher and for letting me know kids who are wonderful enough to take the time to get in touch with me after so many years. I don't think I could've asked for anything more out of life. I don't think I could have been given any greater gift than that. My cup runneth over.

28 comments:

Sadie said...

The thread that binds us
Teacher, I have a question
You are my hero.

bARE-eYED sUN said...

yes!
you most certainly ARE
making a comeback.

if you are not the luckiest person
in the world, you are most
certainly up there,
right behind some of your
tudents.

your cup runneth over
and so does ours.

welcome back.

..
.ero

Sandy said...

Wooooooooooooooooooow.
This is fantastic. Incredible work. Love it.

Diane said...

Isn't it great to be acknowledged, and what a difference you can make in someone's life to help them along? Love the artwork too :)

mistyg said...

I'm not a teacher but I've had similar moments over the past week. Times when I had to stop and marvel at the grace I've been given and the blessings of people, time and art I've enjoyed. It's an amazing moment and feeling.

Kim Mailhot said...

Yay for life's sweet graces and joys and our wonderful abilities to stop and relish them.
You are so wonderful, my friend. Your post pushed my own cup over the edge some more...
Love to you...

Janet Ghio said...

I love your artwork. You must have some great magazines to draw pieces of images from!! And great teacher story. How gratifying!

Terri Kahrs said...

What a wonderful tribute, Alberta! You must be 'over the moon' to know how much of a difference you've made in this girl's life. Teachers are our treasures!!! Hugs, Terri xoxo

Costa Rica or Bust said...

Hey Girly!

I froze for a second when reading this. My daughter was a cheerleader and her nick name is Mel. Her full name is Meleese. She's 26 which would put her just about the right age!!!!

This was a great thing. I really loved it when my daughter was a teen and enjoyed her friends so much. It feels great when they remember me and tell me how much they appreciated me. Feels good!!

Betsi Goutal said...

Marvelous! Both the fabulous artwork and the magical (and artfully told) story. Thank you for sharing this!

Janet said...

Fantastic art to go with a great story. And three cheers to the girl (woman now) for remembering and for letting you know how she felt. I think too often people are afraid to tell someone how much they impacted their life. Big hugs to you both!!

Anonova said...

Teachers are such unsung wonders... I'm glad someone sang for you. :)

Unknown said...

I'm so glad it meant so much for me to touch base and tell you how much you mean to me, though I’m not sure my words even did you justice. Coming from a long line of family educators, I know how little recognition teachers can receive - though the impact they make is tremendous. The older I get, the more free I’ve have become with my feelings. I know all too well, that life is short, and people are amazing. You have to let those amazing people who have touched you, know they made a difference – and you have…not only in my life, but in so many. This is what life is all about, right? :)
XOXO - Melanie

Giggles said...

I know you've been a huge inspirations to me, making a huge impact on my life and we've never met in person. So I can imagine you are a phenomenal, genuine motivational teacher who is a students greatest cheerleader!!

Beautiful soul, beautiful art, thankful too!! You have the whole package!!! Happy to hear such a blissful story in light of the recent tragedy.

Hugs Giggles

Priscilla said...

I think this is the first time I have ever been to your blog and I must say, I really enjoy your challenge piece, but I have to tell you I think I enjoyed your story even more. As I was reading it, I felt two tears running down my face. Teachers are never thanked enough and now that I have two kids (both 3 years old) it really makes me think about their future and how much the people that cross paths will affect them in life. I would personally like to thank you for taking on such a job, because you are molding a brighter future for so many young people.
Priscilla

BlueRidgeLady said...

Your post brought tears to my eyes, thinking about how you must have felt to hear from your student after so many years, and to know that you left such an impression on her, that she made a point to let you know that. What a special moment for me too! Great story, such an awesome collage to go with it. Hope you start to feel better soon, sounds like you are on your way!! Hugs!!

Janny said...

Great post and fabulous piece of work!

Anonymous said...

This is a great page and Mr. Fish Head in the one below looks so sublime! We never know what we do will impact someone's life...great post! Thanks for telling me about the kind of paints you use.
Cheers,
Mary

Marit said...

That's sooooo special! Yes, I know the feeling of "overflow" by things like this... and everyone deserves to feel it sometime... you certainly do!!! BTW, your last artpiece is gorgeous!!!

johanna said...

great story and LOVE your artwork!!

Alessandra Victoria Langella said...

amazing

Be Colorful Coastal said...

Hi, I saw that your email had been hijacked and sent you a message saying that happened to my husband last month too but you probably weren't able to get it. They only took his address book out of his outlook but still it was a mess and it was difficult closing the account. So sorry that happened to you. I did wonder if you received my check for Inspire a Desire because when I last looked it didn't look like it had been cashed. Let me know. Thanks Pam

Pom Pom said...

Your cup DOES run over with paybacks for love freely given, doesn't it? All the tired days are SO WORTH it. They are ours to love.

Yvonne said...

Gorgeous piece, Alberta!

You must be one of those really special teachers, my hat goes off to you! You are shaping kids to be kind, caring, and responsible adults.

Rosie said...

Winderful page Kathy! I've always thought that's the loveliest thing about being a teacher... they never forget you. Glad you're feeling a bit better now. xo

indybev said...

I'm sure MANY of your ex students share those feelings, but few will take the time to let you know. In my middle years, managing an office, a young man appeared to service our copy machine. He stopped at my desk and said, "Mrs. Crawford. I remember you! You were my room mother in 3rd grade. You made the best chocolate chip cookies!" I felt just as you have described here. We are never aware of the lives we touch along the way. We should pay more attention!!

CountryDreaming said...

A wonderfully rewarding story about how being a teacher touches lives! Being an artist as well as a teacher, in the course of a day or a year you teach the art of living. Love your starry image with Goethe's quote. And a final observation: January is so appropriate for an epiphany! Cheers! :-)

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