Dear Reader:
As a teacher I remember feeling overwhelmed in May and looking forward to a day in the future when I could enjoy the beauty of it without running the boys to baseball practice, dance recitals for Mandy. end of the year programs at my childrens’ schools-not counting my own school’s end of the year graduations, Awards Night, etc while constantly grading exams and getting final report cards out! Whew! It used to be a crazy month… exhausting.
These days May is still a little crowded but with fun experiences to look forward to that don’t require me to run around like a chicken with her head cut off… I can sit proudly through all the grandchildren’s awards programs and dance recitals-feeling present for every event-including our upcoming Ya Retreat at Edisto-sadly Libby won’t be able to participate this year but she is improving every day! Please keep those prayers coming -they are working!
All these emotional memories have come flooding back since today is National Teacher’s Appreciation Day. I will openly admit that as hard as teaching was for my generation… these teachers today, especially since Covid, have dealt with seemingly insurmountable obstacles and yet our teachers have still been there for our children! My hat’s off to them! Let’s show them our love today!
In 1979 Exxon created a professional development program called Impact II-and in the early millennium -Rene Harris and I ( representing SC) were invited to attend one of the first national forums in Utah atop a tall tall mountain called Snowbird.
We became close friends from the experience and presented later in Miami-it was there I wrote a poem ” The First Day of School” that was submitted for publication -It won the Editor’s Choice Award -my first published poetry. .
I am so happy today that I have lived long enough to enjoy the quiet, peaceful beauty of May minus the stress of school closing… but still I really did love teaching and missed so many of those crazy antics of middle schoolers-the toughest growing up transition for all of us in our lives! And I do hope…the last verse rang true for my students.
… “And if your journey takes a life of its own… I’ll sit back and smile at the seeds that were down.”
So until tomorrow… I am still planting seeds… just the plant kind and oh what joy that brings me too!
Today is my favorite day-Winnie the Pooh
Tommy sent me this picture from their rental-told him I was so jealous of the Irish green -wish I could transplant it in my garden, along with the wonderful rain-we are still in a drought with near nineties this week and only small percentages of any kind of precipitation …
ichaseferalcats
John Turner
Legally Ohm
Becky Dingle
Good morning, Becky!
Great post, and thanks for sharing that wonderful poem! You oviously plant not only seeds of knowledge to all those students, as well as today’s blog readers, but you also plant wonderfully colorful and beautiful garden seeds. I have been in awe of all your recent posts wherein you showcase your gorgeous flowers and plants! [sigh] Would that MY “garden” would be so bountiful and beautiful. I’m slowly getting it all together and I DO realize that it’s not done in one season, but takes many continuing seasons to get the results you’ve achieved. Patience.
Would you mind if I added Libby to my Daughters of the King prayer list? We are “prayer warriors” and if you could tell me the reason for continued prayers (sorry, I cannot remember) it would help. If you’d rather email me that’d be fine.
Keep writing! It’s my dream – now that I’ve been to Hawaii and can cross that off my “bucket list” – to attend a writer’s conference up here. A woman, born in Greece and a member of our church, teaches writing at conferences several times a year, but the cost is a tad prohibitive for me at this point. One day. . . .
Continue to enjoy those growing grands! It’s amazing how fast they all seem to grow!
Sis
A little history of my own and some Social studies of a different type. Mrs. Townsend posted or commented on your post, one of your daily blogs. (I don’t like the word blog) I read the piece of literature and commented that it was the most profound post that I had seen on Facebook (Social Studies). And Mrs. Townsend told me where to go sign up for your daily literature. So I commented to Mrs. Townsend, see I did learn in The Developmental reading class you taught. Being the type person and teacher she is she responded Boy you just made my day. That’s how I came to here reading your daily literature and I am still impressed by the awards you received, the poetry you wrote, and your sell out, unwavering, talent of teaching. With or without your knowing you are still teaching. I have certainly learned quite a bit from reading your daily literature. I believe Mrs. Townsend fall into that great teacher area as well. Thank you for allowing me access to your world of literature and learning!
Johnny,,,You certainly made my day today…once a teacher…always a teacher…You will never know what your comments (throughout the years) have done for my overall well-being. If you didn’t send another copy to Mrs Townsend…please do because it will make her day too!!! Bless you Johnny! Have a great day!!!
PS Do you still have that first correspondence Mrs Townsend sent you about the post? Would love to save it!!!