Tonight is one of those nights that I will always remember. It was one of those moments in time when you simply stop - and remember - and understand how very blessed you have been. Thank you for giving me that opportunity.
It was a night of memories - and of connections. People who recognized each other from other times and other places and for some reason or other - on that night - were in the same place at the same time. There were people who had worked with me in other places, there were people who grew up in my home town, there were people who recognized each other as being hospital roommates. There were people who had relatives who worked with me in other places. There were people who were simply connected. We all know that it is all about being connected. A special connection was the presence of a present student and two former students (and four of the cutest pre- schoolers I have ever seen) - that IS what it is all about.
As I looked around the room I saw so many faces that I have come to know and love. To have Howard Smith in that group was such a joy for me. If each of you close your eyes for a moment and think about someone who has touched you in a way that has been life changing - you can see that person as though it was yesterday. When I think about the good things that have happened to me - Howard Smith is at the top of my list. Who knows what he saw when he hired me back in 1969. Who knows why he chose to coach me, mentor me, lead me, push me and model for me. I don't know why - but I am glad that he did. I am always surprised when he wonders why I continue to be grateful. Go figure!
It was so important for me to have each of you stand and tell my "home" family who you are and for me to give a bit of information about why you are so important to me - each in your own way. If you stop and think about it, I have spent more time with my Maple family over the past five years than I have spent with my Walpole family. Of course you live closer to me that my Walpole family. I am glad that you got to know each other - if only for a short time.
For Kate to drive that far to spend a couple of hours with her old mother was greatly appreciated. I am very envious of her though. She will be getting to see the Japanese Contingent before David and I do. But I will probably get to see John and Emily before she does. See, I always have to have the last word - right Kate? She is on her way back to Connecticut and will have a long day of professional development tomorrow. I know that she understands the feelings that were present tonight. I know that she understands the importance of relationships that form - or do not form - in a school community.
To have my sister there was a blessing. I learned a great deal from her through the years. I watched her step into the head of the family role after my dad died. I was 11 and my mom was almost 60. It was hard to deal with an 11 year old when your other two children were grown an out of school. I watched her work her way up in the banking world where she was told that she would have to work for less pay because she was not a male and males were the sole support of their families. She did not understand that, since she was supporting her family. She quietly, but effectively taught them the error of their ways.
Above all, I was very grateful that you were there - each and every one of you. You have become very important to me. I am sincerely grateful for the time that I have had with you - to make new connections. New connections that have become very important to me.
So, as I sit in my beautiful new PTO rocking chair with the carefully etched Maple leaf on it, I will look out at my newest connection - my Japanese Maple tree. I will think of all of you and the kindness that you have bestowed on me. For that, each of you will always be a rock in my pocket and a joy in my heart.
...we will have these moments to remember.
Thank you - and God Bless,
Cathie
*sigh*
ReplyDeleteI just love reading your thoughts. Thank you for trusting us enough to share them with us.