As I reflect on my relationships in the past and present. I can truely say that relationships really played an important part in my life. As a child, I really overcame some very challenging times. Coming from a very religious but poor background and realizing that my clothes were very old fashioned I began to shy away from some of the other children. In other words, I was that quiet child that sat in the corner and never really talked because I did not want to be noticed. I only played with kids that played with me. To this day, I remember the one teacher that really seemed to take notice of me, she would often take time to talk to me. And really tried to have some type of relationship with me. I remember the day when a big bag of clothes came to our house from the school. I was so excited! After about 35 years, I ran into that teacher and finally got a chance to thank her and tell her how much it meant to me, that she actually noticed me and mead me feel special. Now that I have come into the education field, it is what she did for me that causes me to always remember to take notice of every child.
Some of the challenges that I endured as a child really helps me to be able to show compassion and empathy for others. And, it helps me to keep an open mind when working with children and their families. I try very hard to step outside the box and not to be judgemental.
When I was 16, I lost my mother and at age 39 I was diagnosed with breast cancer. It is the close relationship that I have with my dad and my siblings that helped me through those difficult times then and even today. I have 10 siblings, when I went into the hospital for my surgery, the nurses all came to me and said, "you have a lot of people that love you". The waiting room was jammed packed. I saw every last one of my brothers and sisters, along with my dad and other relatives. It's still very emotional to talk about. It is our faith in God and the love and support that we give towards each other that really helps us through it all.
Well, it's official I'm a baby. Why do I feel connected to your story and I have never met you? Perhaps because in those sentences I saw myself sticking with those people who I knew wouldn't make fun of me because my shoes had holes in them or I didn't have the latest. It's amazing that the very same negative experiences we had when we were young are the same ones we notice in other children. It kinda gives us an advantage over those caregivers who don't have this gift or experienced things such as this. Thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteHello , Great post
ReplyDeleteYes there are some teachers out there who are remarkable. That story is tuly inspiring and a great stand point. The act of kindness in realtionships must prevail along with the initial idea of moral support. It was really nice that the teacher cared for that certain situation. Wow!
Your post was so touching! I, too, was that kid who got made fun of for my lack of wardrobe, but I especially love that your family relationships have pulled you through tough times. My brother was diagnosed in July with stage 4 cancer and given a year to live. He just turned 40 and he is my only sibling. I can only pray and hope that our relationship can provide us both with the strength we need, as well as my relationship with God.
ReplyDelete