Sometimes the God's remind you that you Do make a difference...

THIS was the email I received today, from an intern I had TEN years ago.  I loved her more than I can say, cause she was ME TO A TEE.  She challenged me, frustrated me, lifted me and reminded me that life is GOOD.    (Here's the note...)

Dear Mrs. Smythe  and Smythe County Graduating Class of 2012,

          You are the reason I remain in education today.  Period. Mrs. Smythe, as my cooperating teacher, beyond all the technical and professional aspects of becoming a classroom teacher, you showed me the importance of love, laughter, and fun in our second grade classroom. I can’t begin to count the number of times we laughed with our students, with each other, and at ourselves. How many times did we find ourselves doubled over, with tears streaming down our faces because we both found something downright hysterical? How many times did our entire class burst into giggles because of something silly that one of us managed to do? It wasn’t scientific or something that one could even study, but you always remembered the importance of having fun, enjoying what the day brought, and loving your students. You created a warm, upbeat environment and I continue to try to create that environment wherever I find myself to this day. It is easy to become wrapped up in the uptight world of standardized testing, irate parents, and frustrated teachers, however, I continue to remind myself that it’s ok to take a deep breath and laugh a little. I am lucky that you continue to crack me up to this day!

            As far as you, class of 2012, you have certainly come a long way in the past ten years! It seems like yesterday we were all navigating the unknown world of sink and float, odd and even, and reading Magic Tree House books together. When I was graduating, you all wrote me letters filled with advice for graduation day and beyond. Now, it’s my turn to share some of that advice back with you. Remember, on graduation day, smile and be proud of yourself, and try not to spin the little tassel on your hat during graduation - it will distract you! When you get your first job: do your best, don’t be late, and don’t give up! When you throw your hat up on graduation day, give it some power, and finally, ALWAYS smile, eat a healthy breakfast, wear something under your gown, and HAVE FUN!!

            You are truly a unique group of individuals who has proven to me that education can and should be filled with fun, love, and laughter! As promised, I will see you on graduation day!

Love,

Miss ANONYMOUS

Sometimes THEY know what's best for them.

I’ve spent the last four Septembers driving through every small town in this very mountainous state of Oregon, to watch Sassy develop into a decent field hockey player. Before that, I spent two springs doing the same.

As Sassy approached her senior year in high school, we were not aggressive about touting Sassy’s talents to every Division One Team in the nation because frankly, it costs a pretty penny to get your child noticed.

Tightwad and I both believe that an athlete’s talent ought to speak for itself, but the reality is this; you have to be seen at every college camp, at Festivals held in California and Florida, play for every and any team within a five thousand mile radius, and send your films and endless begging emails to any coaches or teams that MIGHT have a spot for you.

We are among many other families in this country that just do not have the money for this kind of advertising. So, in the end, you not only have to have natural god-given talent, you also have to have some wealthy family members to help you along the way.

I hate that *@&^.

Fortunately for Sassy, there WERE some D-1 teams that expressed interest in her, even if she DID have crappy parents. For a while we expected her to attend a smaller D-1 school that was fairly close to home.

Then the calls started.

They were from a D-3 coach who was extremely interested in Sassy, and she would not give up. She called her weekly, kept up on her games and her accomplishments, and made her feel important.

It was after the season ended that Sassy informed me that she wanted to visit this particular coach, her university, and see what she had to offer.

I laughed it off at first. “What??” I said. “But that’s NOT a D-1 school! Surely you are kidding.”

“Mom. It’s JUST a visit.”

And so we went. It was her life, her path and she needed to be informed so that she could make a decision that was best for her.

We went on a Friday and I dropped her off with a group of girls I DIDN’T EVEN KNOW. I drove to my hotel thinking that this was probably the craziest thing I had ever done.

We left the following afternoon.

“That’s it. THAT is where I want to go to school. Those are the girls I want to play with, and that is the coach that I want to play for.”

I tried to keep my mouth shut. It didn’t work.

“But it’s NOT A D-1 SCHOOL! You are so talented! Your coach said…”

“Mom, stop. Listen to me. Why do I want to go to a school where I have to fight and kiss up to people on the SLIGHT CHANCE that I MIGHT play when I’m a senior? WHY? I want to play now. I want to play with a team that plays as a team- not where people are only playing for themselves.”

I digested this on the long ride home.

She was right.

Last night she called me after her first college game.

“Mom! WE WON 5-1!! And guess what? I started. I played MOST of the game! I came out by mistake and when coach realized I was out she sent me back in!”

I was so proud, and couldn’t really talk for a minute.

But then, she continued, “Mom, this is what I’ve worked so hard for all these years. THIS. I feel like it has all paid off.”

And with that, I knew that she was right where she was supposed to be.