My Mom taught and helped shape the
future of countless children throughout her career of 27 years. She cared for them as her own from 6 weeks
old until she ushered them off to kindergarten, but always kept in touch with
the parents and children as she watched them grow in their future endeavors. Not a day goes by that I don’t receive a
message, a phone call or see a Facebook post from the parents or children themselves,
even the original crew from when she started her career.
It is very refreshing to watch them
all grow into the fine individual’s they are as they continue in their success
each day.
One thing that stands out is remembering
my Mom receiving countless phone calls from the parents whose children went
from her care to kindergarten. Each and every
one of them called to thank her as their child was specially recognized for
already knowing their ABC’s and 123’s as well as knowing how to spell their
name and write their address.
I have to laugh as I recall her
teaching the children their letters and she would have them write them over and
over until they got it perfect. The
letter ‘G’ was always a struggle for the kids and they would sit there and show
my Mom and much of their conversation went like the below:
Child: “Kathy I am done with my
letters, can I go play now?”
Mom: “Hmm, again – here is another
sheet of paper.”
Child: *Sighs* “Kathy how many more
times before I can go play?”
Mom: “That’s up to you, write them
correctly and you can go play; you know what to do so don’t be sloppy.”
Child: *mumbles under breath* “This
is no fun.”
Mom: “What was that?”
Child: “Nothing, Kathy – just doing
my letters :->”
Mom: “uh-huh, remember I have all
day so please feel free to take your time.”
--
It was more than just letters and
numbers that she taught as she had them write over and over. Subliminally, she taught them not to settle
and take the easy (sloppy) way out and to take pride in all the work they do, no
matter what.
Over the past few weeks I’ve smiled
as I see Facebook posts on some accomplishments of the children under Mom’s
care before she passed away; Tina, Mason and Michael. Tina was still under Mom’s care and had not
gone off to school yet, but Mason and Michael went on however came back for the
summer! Tina and Mason recently
graduated and are to the next chapter and Michael continues to do well in
school as well as making great strides with his sled hockey team, proving to be
a leader and now captain of his team.
As the school year closes, I see how
the children she cared for continue to move on successfully; all of them,
dating back to the first crew she cared for up until the last crew over a 27
year time frame. It is comforting to me
knowing that so many children will help make the future bright and it all
started with my Mother’s care. He work
may have been cut short, but her legacy lives on through all she cared
for. I know she watches over all of them
and no doubt bragging up above and smiling.
Congratulations to all she cared for as you
continue in your success and the future is indeed bright.
