Lessons Learned from Life's Surprises

My blog has remained frozen since October 11--my birthday.  Looking back it seems like a lifetime ago.  On October 24,  I received a phone call at school in the early morning hours.  It's a phone call that may not be totally unexpected since my parents are both in their 80s.  However, it is not the call you want on a beautiful fall Friday morning.

My mother had suffered two strokes by the time I drove the 300 miles that weekend to rush to the hospital.  My four siblings and I stood by her bedside as the words coming out of her mouth seemed to belong in a different land. Many questions ran through our minds . . . What now? Who would take care of Dad? Will she ever walk or talk again?

"All things work for the good for those who love God."  How true that statement became!  All the pieces fell together quickly.  My mom received outstanding care in a nursing facility, and we moved my dad into an assisted apartment just a few steps away from mom's door.  Truly things like this do not happen without the hand of God.

I don't keep secrets from my students.  They prayed for my mother, they made her cards, and they asked about her daily.  These are the moments of teaching that really make it so worthwhile.  Who else has 18 people truly caring about someone in your life that they have never met?

One day in December while shopping in Target my cellphone rang.  It was my mother.  Two months previously I never thought I would have another phone conversation with her.  Among the mad Christmas shoppers I am standing in the middle of the giftwrap aisle crying my eyes out as I hear her speak. Christmas miracle.

Today my parents live in an assisted apartment.  My mother walks great with her walker (sometimes without). Her beautiful cursive handwriting has returned.  She is able to read almost anything silently, but struggles to read smoothly aloud.  She struggles to think of some words--even my name at times--but we can have wonderful conversations.

Moving out of the Nursing Care Facility!  Way to go, Mom!

Miracle--yes! But it did not come without extreme hard work from my mother.  I am amazed that an 83 year old can have so much drive and determination to learn to walk, talk, read and write again.  She worked for hours in therapy and then spent hours on her homework.  I would sometimes receive photos of her homework via phone (writing her name 10 times) and show it to my students. "Your mom has homework?" they would say.

Our classroom hero! You're never too old to learn!

What did my students learn from my mother? Hard work never ends.  When life seems unfair we just try harder. Our parents will always be important to us. Reading and writing are important. It is hard to live without reading.  (their words)


Do you share your personal life with your students? What have they learned from your struggles in life?

Amy