I've had a very strange couple of days trying to digest some information I received over the past weekend. As most of you know I teach fourth grade at a public school just minutes from my house. What you probably don't know is that I work with some of the kindest, smartest and most wonderful people that you will ever meet. Nine years ago I was unbelievably fortunate to find myself with a teaching position in the fourth grade hallway...the best hallway. As an outsider to a small town and small district I was made to feel at home immediately. I was considered family to women who had been teaching together their whole lives...never made to feel out of place or out of the loop. These women. Women who help me get my feet on the ground when I didn't know what I was doing. Women who cheered me on during my successes and shook their heads with me when nothing was making sense. Women who laughed together about all of the crazy things that our husbands did and said. Women who celebrated the birth of my three children...being just as excited with me about each one. These women.
I've known for some time now that one of us was leaving at the end of this year. Nancy, whom I would describe as everyone's favorite aunt, had made it no secret that this year would probably be her last. With the way the state is changing pension and everything else we started to hear talk here and there from anyone who was in a position to retire, but nothing was ever definite. This weekend I got a phone call that I had hoped wouldn't come. Our dear friends Agie and Barb announced that they would also be leaving at the end of this year...leaving a huge whole in our once tight knit fourth grade group.
So, instead of crying about this (which is what I did initially until my husband made fun of me) I've decided to blog about it. One word. None of these women can be reduced to a single word, but If I had to say just one word about each I know exactly what I would say.
Generous. My friend, Barb is without question one of the most generous people that I have ever met. If someone is going through a rough patch, Barb is the first to step up and find a way to help. No occasion is too small for her notice. The front desk of our main office is constantly posted with birth announcements, funeral arrangements or notices of illness, and there has never been a time when Barb has not stopped to copy down an address to send a card of congratulations or condolence. She is unfailing in her support of her friends, family and community. There is no doubt that if she were to read this she would be saying in her head, " Well, that's just what you do. That's what's right. " But not everyone is like this. Not just anyone has her generosity of spirit, and that is why Barb will be missed so much.
Wise. When I was trying to think of the perfect word for Nancy the word smart kept popping into my head, but that just didn't seem good enough. The word I really wanted was wise, because Nancy is unbelievably smart in so many ways, but what makes her wise is how she applies everything she knows to every situation and every person perfectly. She has an unbelievable knack for knowing when to talk and when it's best not to say anything. She seems to have a way of forming the perfect thing to say in every circumstance...so much so that when she says it you find yourself thinking, why couldn't I say it just like that?, or that was exactly what I was thinking but couldn't find the words. If you need Monday morning advice Nancy's door is the first you walk through, and she's the one that you run your weekend plans by on the way out the door Friday afternoon. She is the perfect coworker, confidante and friend. And although Macy's will be very lucky to have her ;), she will be greatly missed around here.
Mom. This was a no brainer. To me and to many Agie is our mom away from mom. (Long pause to choke back some tears.) I know that I owe so many of my successes as a teacher to her guidance, support and encouragement. As my first year mentor she went above and beyond the required hours to go over plans, lessons and whatever else I needed just to keep my head above water. At the end of the year she returned the $500 dollar mentor fee to me and said, "Now, don't tell Mike, but you take this money back and go buy yourself something. " This still makes me laugh and always reminds me of the kind of person that she is. The kind of person that cried with me when I thought I was going to lose my job that first year....the person who jumped up and down with me when I found out I was pregnant (all three times)...the one who takes my 7am phone calls to say I have to call out sick, and please go make sure my desk isn't a mess. I hope that I have conveyed how deeply grateful I am over the years for everything she has done to make my life better and easier. But, even if I haven't, Agie is the kind of person who would just keep doing it all anyway. That's what moms do.
So, when I return to school next year, and my Year of Summer comes to a close there will be three great ladies who won't be returning with me. Although I am incredibly thankful to have this year at home with my three children there is a part of me that is terribly missing the last year that our fourth grade group will be together. I have been priveledged to share in their lives and so happy to have them be a part of mine. Nancy, I look forward to having a personal shopper now! Agie, you are my on call babysitter...ha! Barb...if you are ever sitting around on a Sunday night, and you get the urge to grade some papers ~ you know who to call! I love you all! xoxo
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