The Future is Bright!

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.”

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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.