Not so long ago, I received a beautiful card that surprised me with its message on the front. It was a message that made me reflect “What does that mean?” Inside was a handwritten letter and the card’s inside message “Thank you for everything.”
Graphic Artist Janeen Kokonis Flower Power U
“The force of a 1000 flowers” made me think of the thousands of students I’ve come in contact with…can it be that many? In a field of flowers — who counts? You just see the beauty, the colors, the textures, the many, many varieties — personalities if you will.
As I wind up my week of reflecting on National Teacher Appreciation Week I have one more thought to share — about the student who sent that card. I’ll say that her name is Florida, a name that denotes flowers. I’ll tell you all she is making a difference in the classroom and with her own children, nieces and nephews. She is doing important work locally, on the state and national level. How very proud I am of her. She is my link, my assurance, that as I retire, she is there to continue our work.
The answer to yesterday’s challenge? A
Beautiful post. You are an inspiration to your students. The card said it all. Happy Mother’s Day. I wish you all the best.
Thank you IT for reading. Happy Mother’s Day to the mothers in your family.
Beautiful post for Mother’s Day! I have a cousin (now residing in a nursing home, major health problems, but she’s “only” my age), never married, no children. But she taught pre-school Sunday School for MANY years. Her students were HER children!
Happy Mother’s Day to you, Georgette! Thanks for all the reminders of just how much we owe our teachers.
Thank you sharing about your cousin. The Sunday school teachers had such an influence on our girls and grandson. My MIL taught Sunday school, founded the JOY class at her church which still continues. I was amazed how she kept that up. btw I hope you saw the answer to the challenge. I uploaded…realized, I hadn’t posted the answer, then quickly edited.
Beautiful card, Georgette. Imagine all of the students over the years that you’ve inspired and really made a difference in their lives. Happy Mother’s Day to you!
Happy Mother’s Day, Darla. Thank you for visiting.
Beautiful and well deserved, Georgette!
Elyse, thank you for visiting and allowing me to share with you. Remember the line in Johnny Mathis’s song “now I shout it from the highest hill…”? Just had to share.
This seems a perfect day to reflect on the fact that our first teachers were our fathers and mothers – and of course other family members and neighbors. Before I got to kindergarten I could tie my own shoes, look both ways while crossing the street, measure the right amount of food for my turtle, and dust properly. Oh – and I could read! I started school at four – so there had been a lot of learning going on. We had no tv, but Mom read to me every day. When Dad cut up fallen limbs, I’d make piles of the pieces and tell him how many pieces were in each pile. I was learning my numbers.
Nothing bothers me more today than the willingness of some parents to consign their children to the school system for everything – including breakfast, lunch and dinner. Well, unless it might be the eagerness of the government to take over the roles formerly understood to be those of parents.
Mothers’ day is more than a day for flowers, candy and looking back. It’s a time to look forward, to highlight the importance of mothers as teachers. We need to find a way to re-engage parents in their children’s education – or at least enable the next generation of parents to be the kind of teachers ours were for us.
OK. I’ll get off my soapbox now. Lovely post – and obviously thought provoking!
I love this comment and hope every visitor to this site reads your response. I don’t take this as being on a soapbox at all. You are stating facts, what you know and remember as true–simple and natural lessons in everyday living. Your comment can inspire others of all the possibilities around us. You put this so well. Teaching is natural and purposeful. One learns through the powerful connections of purpose-love-the kinesthetic-interaction…doing things. There’s a lot to do at home. I like your phrasing “…find a way to re-engage parents in their children’s education.” Teaching isn’t preaching, authoritarian or arrogant — it’s showing the way in a non-threatening way–engaging. I am confident when one meets folks where they are at, shown and then chased with a(n) telling/explanation, they will come back so a connection can be made. For me it’s show-tell-involve, or show-involve-then tell.
wow. that is awesome.
Thank you for coming by on Mother’s Day.
Georgette, you are the force of 1,000 flowers. You’ve invested in your students, and you are making a difference. Happy Mothet’s Day.
Happy Mother’s Day, LD!
AWESOME! How incredible a tribute to you, a teacher who has positively affected the lives of many & made their futures better & brighter. Thank you, from teacher to teacher & friend to friend, for being you. XO
I know your understand, teacher-friend.
What a great analogy. Happy mom’s day!
Happy day to you all! It’s beautiful weather down here. Hope the same for you.
Georgette, this is beautiful. I’m sure you’ve made a huge impact on so many of your students. Who knows where that will lead and on to whom it will be paid forward. Hope your day is just brilliant.
Thank you, Renee. So far so good.
I hope yours is lovely as well.
All of us remember our one special teacher. I’m sure there are legions who claim you as theirs. Lovely, lovey post.
MJ
Thank you for reading. I’m honored to have had such smart, smart kids along the way. At Christmas time I receive cards and letters. Yes, teaching was the perfect lifelong career choice.
It must be very rewarding to be remembered and thanked for putting so much of yourself into your work and students. Good for you!
Thank you for reading, Patti.
WOW! Congrats, G! What an achievement!!
Thank you, reeling, for reading. Her card was out of the blue. Really took me by surprise. She’s one of those I’m proud to have worked with.