And one more thing...
I read the obituaries in our local paper religiously. I am at that time in my life, when friends of mine lose parents, siblings and the like. Today, I read an obituary for my 5th grade teacher whom I adored. He called everyone by their last name-boys and girls alike. He was in the army, so it worked for him. He was gruff, firm but loving and caring. One day, he took me aside (while my best friend waited in the hall) and told me, "if you would just pay less attention to the boys you would do a whole lot better in school." I tried to listen--but I am not sure I was successful. Just a few weeks ago, my youngest daughter entering 4th grade found out she had a male teacher. I of course, was ecstatic, as my experience was so wonderful. Male teachers are certainly at a premium but they bring something to the table that female teachers cannot. What that is, I am not sure. But I sure adored Mr. Gaughan. His disciplinary techinque was interesting. If you acted up--and I did--you were assigned an "encyclopedia page." This meant you were to write on a loose-leaf paper, from an encyclopedia until your page was filled. There were no mindless tasks with him. You were always meant to learn something, even if it was a punishment! When he yelled--it was awful, but we listened. We respected him and he respected us. I have often wondered what happened to him and where he landed on this earth. Now I know that he is in heaven--shaping up everyone who is not "in line." Mr. Gaughan, rest in peace.
Saturday, July 29, 2006
I saw this quote on the "Make a Wish" foundation website:
"Very few things in life can give you more satisfaction than knowing you made a difference in the life of a child." I have always loved working with children. I always wanted to be a teacher. Why I didn't pursue that, I will never know. Stupidity comes to mind. Anyway, college got in the way, I just wasn't thinking. A B.A. in Spanish--THAT'S it. Good for nuttin'. Ended up teaching pre school which I loved. No money. Ended up at MCI (then WorldCom) and got caught up in the corporate whirlwind they call a career, and (18)years later with my 401K flushed down the crapper after the WorldCom fiasco, I was laid off. After I got laid off from WorldCom, I was forced to make some choices. I didn't want to re-enter that corporate world, never. With my oldest daughter hitting the teen years, I really wanted to be home in the afternoons with her. (Those were MY trouble times as a teen!) Hence, my next "career" move!
For the last three years, I have been a one on one aide for a 13 year old boy with Down Syndrome. I am honest when I tell you I love him like he is one of my own. Suddenly, it clicked for me. I WAS making the difference in the life of him, and even his friends and the other 6th graders I adore. Not to mention, I am now at home with my kids in the afternoons, a double edge sword--but one I wouldn't trade in. I sure hope I make a difference in their lives!
My summer gig is as a head counselor for a well known, much loved day camp in our area. It is a magical place--a place that if you're not a part of it, it's hard to understand why it is so special. Next to Disney, it truly is the happiest place on earth. We just finished our six week stint, and I have never been more fulfilled, more exhausted, more tired of the heat, more happy than I am now. I had a camper tell me that I was the best counselor she ever had. Forget the paycheck, I'll take that to the bank. My campers were always smiling and laughing (when they weren't complaining about the heat--which was rare, the complaining that is, not the heat!)
I am always quick to beat myself up about the things I don't do well. I am very critical of myself overall. I (and I think we all) take for granted the things we do well. After this camp season, I felt better about myself than I have for a long time. It is those things that we do well, (that we take for granted) that bring us, and those around us the most joy. That sounds like a simple pleasure and it is. It is one that I will rejoice about and for which I will give thanks.
"Very few things in life can give you more satisfaction than knowing you made a difference in the life of a child." I have always loved working with children. I always wanted to be a teacher. Why I didn't pursue that, I will never know. Stupidity comes to mind. Anyway, college got in the way, I just wasn't thinking. A B.A. in Spanish--THAT'S it. Good for nuttin'. Ended up teaching pre school which I loved. No money. Ended up at MCI (then WorldCom) and got caught up in the corporate whirlwind they call a career, and (18)years later with my 401K flushed down the crapper after the WorldCom fiasco, I was laid off. After I got laid off from WorldCom, I was forced to make some choices. I didn't want to re-enter that corporate world, never. With my oldest daughter hitting the teen years, I really wanted to be home in the afternoons with her. (Those were MY trouble times as a teen!) Hence, my next "career" move!
For the last three years, I have been a one on one aide for a 13 year old boy with Down Syndrome. I am honest when I tell you I love him like he is one of my own. Suddenly, it clicked for me. I WAS making the difference in the life of him, and even his friends and the other 6th graders I adore. Not to mention, I am now at home with my kids in the afternoons, a double edge sword--but one I wouldn't trade in. I sure hope I make a difference in their lives!
My summer gig is as a head counselor for a well known, much loved day camp in our area. It is a magical place--a place that if you're not a part of it, it's hard to understand why it is so special. Next to Disney, it truly is the happiest place on earth. We just finished our six week stint, and I have never been more fulfilled, more exhausted, more tired of the heat, more happy than I am now. I had a camper tell me that I was the best counselor she ever had. Forget the paycheck, I'll take that to the bank. My campers were always smiling and laughing (when they weren't complaining about the heat--which was rare, the complaining that is, not the heat!)
I am always quick to beat myself up about the things I don't do well. I am very critical of myself overall. I (and I think we all) take for granted the things we do well. After this camp season, I felt better about myself than I have for a long time. It is those things that we do well, (that we take for granted) that bring us, and those around us the most joy. That sounds like a simple pleasure and it is. It is one that I will rejoice about and for which I will give thanks.
Sunday, July 16, 2006
Children amaze me. You raise them as best that you can, and hope that they learn
and treat others with kindness and respect. It is those "yea!!" moments that help affirm the
fact that you're doing a good job. I'm always hopeful (and thankful) for those moments.
In church today, our rector talked about ministries. Christ told his disciples to go
two by two, leave their baggage, take one pair of sandals and preach the word, heal the sick and cast out demons. Ministries happen within the framework of relationships, our rector said.
This sermon came on the heels of what follows next. This happened last night, as our parish hosted the homeless in our sheltering program. These folks spend the day, down at 63rd and Market St. in Philadelphia by day. By night, they are transported to our parish hall where they stay the night. We provide A/C, bathrooms, and a roof over their heads. Each evening, one (or a few) parishoners sign up to make lunches for our guests who will leave the next morning. Many times, they are families who sign up to "shelter" Last night was our night. I had taken my oldest (13) before, and at the first--she was a bit hesitant. My youngest, (9) followed with that same emotion last night, as this was her first time. What follows is the evening in the life of a nine year old sheltering the homeless.
Jennifer had quite an experience at the shelter tonight. She made friends with a woman named
Nancy. (Jen's so shy, you know.) Jen chatted with her for a bit. Nancy told her she had a job
interview on Monday. Jen told her she would say a prayer for her. Nancy asked her for a hug, and Jen of course, agreed. Unbeknownst to me, Nancy gave Jen her radio and earphones. Jennifer was so pleased with the gesture, until she realized that those items might be all that she had. Jennifer asked if she could give them back to Nancy.
She scooted into the parish hall, and crouched down next to Nancy, told her she had already had a radio and that while she appreciated the thought, she wanted Nancy to have it back. Nancy turned to me and said, "I wanted to give her something, and that was all that I had." I assured her that the hug that she gave Jen was all she needed. Jen wished her well on her interview Monday. Nancy said that she wanted to come to Holy Apostles for church. Jennifer assured her that there were many opportunities for her to help out, and that she would look forward to having her there. Nancy said she would take her to McDonalds.
Ministry--it comes in all shapes and sizes.
Now, I know nothing about Nancy, her background, her issues, her history. What I DO know is that my daughter was forever changed tonight. As I tucked her into bed tonight, her prayers went on a little longer than normal. Nancy told her earlier in the evening, "many people talk the talk...but we were walking the walk." Jennifer now gets it.
As for sheltering, Jen's a "lifer."
Jen told me she prayed for Nancy three times during church today. That's major prayer for a nine year old, and probably just the prayer that Nancy needed.
and treat others with kindness and respect. It is those "yea!!" moments that help affirm the
fact that you're doing a good job. I'm always hopeful (and thankful) for those moments.
In church today, our rector talked about ministries. Christ told his disciples to go
two by two, leave their baggage, take one pair of sandals and preach the word, heal the sick and cast out demons. Ministries happen within the framework of relationships, our rector said.
This sermon came on the heels of what follows next. This happened last night, as our parish hosted the homeless in our sheltering program. These folks spend the day, down at 63rd and Market St. in Philadelphia by day. By night, they are transported to our parish hall where they stay the night. We provide A/C, bathrooms, and a roof over their heads. Each evening, one (or a few) parishoners sign up to make lunches for our guests who will leave the next morning. Many times, they are families who sign up to "shelter" Last night was our night. I had taken my oldest (13) before, and at the first--she was a bit hesitant. My youngest, (9) followed with that same emotion last night, as this was her first time. What follows is the evening in the life of a nine year old sheltering the homeless.
Jennifer had quite an experience at the shelter tonight. She made friends with a woman named
Nancy. (Jen's so shy, you know.) Jen chatted with her for a bit. Nancy told her she had a job
interview on Monday. Jen told her she would say a prayer for her. Nancy asked her for a hug, and Jen of course, agreed. Unbeknownst to me, Nancy gave Jen her radio and earphones. Jennifer was so pleased with the gesture, until she realized that those items might be all that she had. Jennifer asked if she could give them back to Nancy.
She scooted into the parish hall, and crouched down next to Nancy, told her she had already had a radio and that while she appreciated the thought, she wanted Nancy to have it back. Nancy turned to me and said, "I wanted to give her something, and that was all that I had." I assured her that the hug that she gave Jen was all she needed. Jen wished her well on her interview Monday. Nancy said that she wanted to come to Holy Apostles for church. Jennifer assured her that there were many opportunities for her to help out, and that she would look forward to having her there. Nancy said she would take her to McDonalds.
Ministry--it comes in all shapes and sizes.
Now, I know nothing about Nancy, her background, her issues, her history. What I DO know is that my daughter was forever changed tonight. As I tucked her into bed tonight, her prayers went on a little longer than normal. Nancy told her earlier in the evening, "many people talk the talk...but we were walking the walk." Jennifer now gets it.
As for sheltering, Jen's a "lifer."
Jen told me she prayed for Nancy three times during church today. That's major prayer for a nine year old, and probably just the prayer that Nancy needed.
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