Dose of Encouragement

I am blessed to have the opportunity to teach at Summit Academy in Loganville on Thursday mornings.  The way the program is set up, I have a parent assistant each period.  During first class, I have a permanent assistant, the lovely Mrs. Hall, who I have put through the wringer so far this year.  For my second and third class, I never know who is going to show up.  But I have met some neat people, all parents of kids at the academy, some who are in my class and others are not.

Thursday during third period, there was a new lady.  She sat in the back, as most do unless we are heavily involved in an experiment, and laughed and smiled at the antics involved in studying insects.  She is not a parent of one of my students, but approached me afterwards and asked me about the classes I would be teaching next year.  I informed her of the subject and how excited the kids and I were about the new material.  She got a little quiet, leaned in toward me and said, “Yes, but you see, my daughter is in 5^th grade, and well, she has dyslexia and I just don’t know how she would do.”   Without missing a beat, I said, “She will enjoy the class and the experiments.  For you see, my son has dyslexia also so I know how to teach to kids with learning disabilities.”  Her face lit up and she got the biggest smile on her face!  “Oh my goodness, thank you so much!” she said in response.  “I am going to sign her up for the fall.  Thank you, thank you!”

My sweet lady, you are very welcome!  

As with every hurdle in life, God uses it to grow me, teach me and be able to help someone else going down the same path.  I hope to continue to learn how to help kids out there who are struggling with language and inspire in them a love of learning that does not always involve reading a book or the need to have great spelling.

All kids are unique and gifted in their own way.  I see it in my son every day.  His future is bright and he will conquer it with God’s help and some creative learning skills.

Valentine's Day

It is Valentine’s Night.  I am thinking back to the Valentine’s of my youth – oh how time has changed. 

 

My daughter had a great Valentine's Day even though it did not go as she had planned.  Things happened out of her control – her boyfriend did not get off work until after 9:30pm; however, once he arrived at our home, starving, she fed him a nice meal and they exchanged gifts.  His gift to her was this VERY large, cuddly teddy bear – something she had always wanted and I had told her “no” for years.    “You don’t have the room for something so big.”; “You don’t need that.”; “It is not practical.”  And there it is - me, the practical mom, insisting on keeping her practical as well.   I caved … and glad I did. I am so happy he got the bear for her.  The smile on her face when she saw it was priceless.  Her evening tonight reminds me of so many I had when I was younger.  

Da Bear!

My valentine of 27 years has been sick this week and was not able to go shopping.  No card, no flowers, nothing.  It is all good.  I know if he had been well, I would have received a beautiful, hand-drawn card.  He is a great artist and I love his homemade cards.  We might have gone out to eat; instead, I made him one of his favorite meals.  I did get us discount movie tickets that I will surprise him with when he is better.  I will let him pick the movie and I can guarantee it won’t be a chick-flick.  I am thinking he will lean toward the new Bruce Willis movie.

Our first Valentine’s Day was back in 1987.  Though I am not 100% sure, I think we went to dinner and a movie.  He got me a card, flowers, a stuffed animal and maybe something else.  It was the first of many fun Valentine’s Days together.  Over the years, our celebration has changed.  We still keep it practical, but fun.  And we know that the love is always there.   We also do more for the kids – which brings much joy to both of us.  But my days of stuffed animals are long gone.  Now, when he asks me what I want for Valentine’s Day, I am more likely to say, “Can you please replace the leaky faucet in the kitchen?”  And I will be very happy about it!  After all, acts of service are my top love language.  But hey, I am still enjoying the beautiful flowers my daughter purchased for me today!

What is your love language?  Do you and your special someone still do the ooey, gooey Valentine’s stuff?  If so, great!  Or have you gone all practical like me and my guy?  No matter how you celebrate, I hope your found ways of letting the people in your life know how much they mean to you; and in return, they expressed love and appreciation to you. 

Much love and appreciation to all of you! Happy Valentine’s Day!