Can I start by saying that before typing this entry I purchased Miley Cyrus' "The Climb" on iTunes? The lyrics of the song are amazing and really resonate with me.
So one countdown has come to a close today (my Kindergarten TA position at work), as another (6 weeks of raw eating) begins tomorrow. (After all of my sweets today, I am feeling ready.)
I arrive to work this morning as the kids were painting their little hands, placing them on a large piece of butcher paper and signing their names. Then, most of them drew me pictures, which I plan to hang on my walls. My co-worker, Peggy, had a large bouquet of assorted flowers for me, in addition to a sweet card. Remember, sometimes a censor what I post online, but not tonight. The card read: "You're the best! Thank you for all you have done. You are a very special young lady. Good luck in life. You deserve the best because you are the best. I am here for you always. Enjoy life and keep smiling. I'm going to miss you. :("
Shortly after one of the other boys, Elton, arrived with his father and brought me a beautiful assortment of purple flowers. Oh yeah. I cannot forget that a couple of days ago Elton's father brought me a stack of yoga magazines (so thoughtful!) and a card (w a check) on Tuesday that read: "I wanted to take a moment to say good bye to you as you pursue the career of your heart. You are very fortunate in that most people spend their life unhappy because they are not doing the work they want to do. Your heart, compassion, kindness and intelligence will take you far. There is also a strength and toughness in you that you can use whenever you need to. Good luck in all that you do. Let us know if you need anything."
On Wednesday Oliver and his mother brought me in some mums and assorted chocolates.
Yesterday Dominique told me to pick out lunch from The Chicago Diner. I decided on gyros: thin sliced grilled seitan with chopped tomatoes, onions & lettuce on a warmed pita bread with vegan tzatziki sauce with sweet potato fries on the side. 15 or so minutes before I was going to go upstairs for lunch, Miss Sherif stopped by with a large cake from a Swedish Bakery and a card w money?! She wrote in different spots all over the card: "Thanks so much for all the good and bad news. Myles love you. We all do. (smile)" "I hope all your dreams come true and you will make a very good mom someday." "Life is what you make it." (The comment about being a good mom really got to me.) Before leaving she apologized for not having time to make me food. I told her that it was not a big deal at all, and I meant that.
So I finish my lunch upstairs as Miss Sherif's daughter walks in the breakroom with a huge tupperware container of vegetable fried rice. I just shook my head... She really didn't need to do that. Another 10 minutes later Mrs. Sanders, Elton's mom, arrives with more flowers (I felt like I won a beauty pageant today!), 2 cupcakes and 3 tarts from Bleeding Heart Bakery, a Whole Foods gift card and another beautiful card. This one read: "Thank you so much for all you have done with Elton, Mark, myself and everyone. I know at times Elton and the other children have been a challenge, and I admire/appreciate your sincerity, compassion, and fairness through your time here. I've seen you extend yourself well beyond what is expected in both your personal and professional life. You have many great qualities older individuals are still struggling to achieve. Good luck in your career. I'm sure you'll excel there like you have done in your other endeavors. I will miss you. Also, don't forget to take time for yourself- it's necessary to be able to help others."
If you can't tell by now, I think kind words are one of the nicest gifts you can give a person. Everything else I received today is so greatly appreciated, but these cards brought me to tears.
The afternoon slowed down a little. The kids woke up kind of late. One of the parents brought in cookies and juice boxes, so we had those this afternoon. Then, we just had fun. A couple of the kids had the idea to go "camping" and asked for blankets. 20 minutes later I had built a huge tent/fort in the middle of the classroom.
Jonathan's Mom arrived right around 6 with my last card of the day in tow: "We are very proud of your decision to go to graduate school. We wish you all the best. We extend our sincerest appreciation for being Jonathan's teacher and helping to instill confidence in him. We consider you to be a friend of the family. Please stay in touch."
I'm crying again as I re-read these cards and think about how sweet everyone was to me today. Mrs. Sanders was trying to renew my yoga membership. Miss Sherif wanted to do more.... Honestly this was more than enough. Flowers and cards, maybe, but I can't believe all of the money I got?! Oh my gosh! I can't forget the card that all of my kids signed, including Dominique, who I think wraps up this stage of my life fairly well when she wrote, "All good things come to an end. Take care of business! I know you will do great in this field you have chose, and I hope all of your dreams come true!"
In talking to her tonight she reminded me that I do not give myself enough credit; I should not have been shocked that everyone at school wanted to do such nice things for me. She's right. I am so hard on myself and often dwell on the things I don't do that I may forget everything that I do/have done.
My amazing day transitioned into an equally amazing night of yoga. I brought Francesca with me. We tapped, learned more about the flow of energy and danced for 30 minutes. I don't know if I was a dancer in my past life, or what, but I did not want the dancing to end. I was all smiles and felt such great energy in the room with me. As I reflected on the day's events and all of the love I received today, I started to feel a love for myself that I don't know if I've ever felt before. When I talked to my friend Sara a few weeks ago, she told me that it's really important for me, and all women, to think of myself as deserving nothing but the best; because, I am such an amazing person. I am starting to understand where she is coming from.
In my yoga practice I am feeling a lot more flexible, and I have been feeling so much energy lately: Last night I actually went to the gym at 10PM because I didn't feel tired at that point. I really should get to bed now since I'm waking up in 5 hours.
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