[ ]   [ ]   [ ]                        [ ]      [ ]   [ ]
Sweetness and Light   

Posted by JustineFromWyoming - Sep 18, 2013 - 3:58pm
Is there a job out there that is all sweetness and light? I may need to try to find it. At least that is what I found myself think as I left the building today.

I do like my job, a lot, but today was a tough day.

One of my students told me that she and her family "don't have nowhere to live right now." I work with her on language acquisition, so I do have to be understanding of grammatical limitations and hear what she is really, actually saying. She may be here for the duration of the school year, but she may not. A year ago she had next to no English. This year she, as we read Charlotte's Web together, can ask me questions, relate little parts of her life to me, tell me what she likes, what makes her happy. The thirty minutes a day I am able to spend with her brings light to my day because I know how bright she is, how it's just opportunity she needs to bring it all together and shine brighter than just about anyone in her class. I work with her brother, too. Smart, inquisitive, still getting to know me but willing to do the work to get the perks of the 45 minutes we work on his language skills. He loves technology and just wants to know more all the time.Tomorrow is his birthday. He told me he likes gingerbread. I told him I'd bring along something for him, something special. He said "Okay! I invite YOU!" It's nothing spectacular ... just a gingerbread teddy bear I baked a few minutes ago.

What I really wish, more than all the spices in the cabinet, was that I could give them the home that would keep them here and give them the opportunities that I know they deserve, for they are two bright little lights that deserve that chance to shine.

The work I do is made possible with the support of a great director. She pushes us to do the best we can, knowing the importance of the work we do with the children we serve. Today we had the official notification that she has invasive breast cancer. She is in her 50s. She is the healthiest person I know. No history in the family. Surgery is Monday. 

I enjoy my job. A lot. I enjoy my department. I enjoy the children, even with the struggle. I just wish I could do more sometimes. 
20 comments on this journal entry.
JustineFromWyoming
Scandagoofian
JustineFromWyoming Avatar

Location: Teetering on the edge of Avenue D


Posted: Oct 11, 2013 - 6:22pm

Thanks, all. Here's a little update:

My director begins radiation soon. My little classroom friends leave sometime in November. The little guy told me that the reason they are leaving is so that can go back to Texas to see his dad. He's currently in jail. For every little break my heart has for these children, I have to remember that maybe, just maybe, there is something I did that will help them to know how bright they are, how much they have to offer the world and how blessed they have made me by the time we've worked together.
rachlan

rachlan Avatar

Location: nyc


Posted: Oct 4, 2013 - 12:14pm

  its often hard not to feel like you should do more but you Are doing so much.  you care and they can feel that and that will make a difference in their lives.  you are an amazing and caring person.
swell_sailor
Eternal
swell_sailor Avatar

Location: The Gorge


Posted: Sep 21, 2013 - 4:08pm

I tried to post here the other day but it didn't stick. 

I think it's common for those who do for others to wish they could do more. You're doing good though, and well....


haresfur
I get around
haresfur Avatar

Location: The Golden Triangle


Posted: Sep 21, 2013 - 12:04am

The little things are important.  Maybe the most important.  You are an angel to them.
geoff_morphini
Soft on the inside
geoff_morphini Avatar



Posted: Sep 20, 2013 - 8:58am

JFW, you're a mighty fine person.
kurtster

kurtster Avatar

Location: drifting


Posted: Sep 20, 2013 - 5:30am

You're one of those angels that people bump into as they travel through life.

You're full of gifts from the heart.  A bright light in a world that needs all it can get.

{#Hug}
miamizsun

miamizsun Avatar

Location: (3261.3 Miles SE of RP)


Posted: Sep 19, 2013 - 4:05pm

what sean said   {#Hug}
Sean-E-Sean

Sean-E-Sean Avatar

Location: Point Breeze


Posted: Sep 19, 2013 - 11:23am

What Beanie said.
Beanie

Beanie Avatar

Location: under the jellicle moon


Posted: Sep 19, 2013 - 9:16am

You are one of the people I consider a blessing to this planet, as much for what you want to do as for the rich and varied thing you actually do accomplish. 
helenofjoy
What Day Is This?
helenofjoy Avatar

Location: Lincoln, Nebraska


Posted: Sep 19, 2013 - 6:49am

The people like your Director, and people like you - are so important to this world.  What you do is why we are here.  Nothing worthwhile is easy IMO.  {#Meditate}
meower

meower Avatar

Location: i believe, i believe, it's silly, but I believe


Posted: Sep 19, 2013 - 6:19am

Thank you for what you do Justine. These kids will remember you for their lives as one of the ones that they could talk to. I think that that is a lot.

It's a hard line to walk, doing what you can and "accepting" your own limitations. I get it, it can keep you up at night if you let it. Don't let it



Love you

OH! and a gingerbread teddy? That's something special.
oldviolin
ab origine
oldviolin Avatar

Location: esse quam videri


Posted: Sep 19, 2013 - 6:08am

you are my beautiful hero {#Daisy}
lily34
i need a bogle for my glotch.
lily34 Avatar

Location: GTFO


Posted: Sep 19, 2013 - 5:41am


Red_Dragon

Red_Dragon Avatar



Posted: Sep 19, 2013 - 4:44am

awe·some adjective ËˆÈ¯-səm - *picture of Justine*
Alexandra
Living with passion
Alexandra Avatar

Location: PNW


Posted: Sep 18, 2013 - 6:58pm

It seems that is always the nature of the education field - most of it is sweetness and light because of the light we help turn on in young minds....and in between those golden moments are the heartaching moments when we wish we could do more.
 
I'm honored to know you, and the noble work you do. That gingerbread is probably going to mean the WORLD to that boy. You rock.
p4jkafla
Resident oddball
p4jkafla Avatar

Location: New England, USA


Posted: Sep 18, 2013 - 6:10pm

Imagine the stories they tell when they get home, about the light you bring into their world. Imagine! How great it must feel for them, that someone cares as deeply as you do!

{#Daisy}
MsJudi
She knew it was time to exceed herself.
MsJudi Avatar

Location: Houston, TX


Posted: Sep 18, 2013 - 5:12pm

You've had a wicked bad day. {#Sad} Wish I had a gingerbread teddy for you! {#Hug}
Coaxial
Shine On.
Coaxial Avatar

Location: 543 miles west of Paradis,1491 miles east of Paradise


Posted: Sep 18, 2013 - 4:52pm

Sending good vibes to you all.{#Good-vibes}{#Pray}
BlueHeronDruid

BlueHeronDruid Avatar

Location: planting flowers


Posted: Sep 18, 2013 - 4:20pm

Keep rockin' it, Justine!
Antigone

Antigone Avatar

Location: A house, in a Virginian Valley


Posted: Sep 18, 2013 - 4:06pm

Oh, I love you, birthday twin. {#Heartkiss}

{#Pray} For your director.

{#Good-vibes} For you and yours.