i went for a visit
on a day off from teaching
to teach
in my youngest daughter’s class
where she is a first year teacher
and
on my way
i was overwhelmed
when
i thought about
her class
so young
and
so many of them
who
live
amid
poverty
and
violence
and
hunger
and
chaos
and
i wanted to
stop
and
buy them
everything
for many
have nothing
but
when i got there
we shared
a meeting
a holiday lesson
paint and glitter
stickers
books
and
hugs
and
as i
sat on the floor
with them
and read stories
and told them
about the holiday
and sang songs
and played games
and helped them
one on one
and watched
the stronger ones
help the others
who were struggling
it was clear
that no matter
their circumstances
first and foremost
they were still children
who needed attention
and love
and support
and
with kind hearts
who happen to be
in
tough situations
through no fault
of their own
and
some will sink
and
some will swim
and
rise above
and
my daughter
is someone
who is helping to
make that difference
for them
just by caring
and trying
and
giving her all
and then some
even in this
very challenging environment
and one said,
‘i never had a rainbow sticker before. i really love it so much.’
and
it was so small
but meant a lot to him
and they sat near me and braided my hair
and felt it
because it was different
and asked me questions
about their teacher
my daughter
‘does she have any sisters?’
‘you her mama?’
‘can you bring in your grandkids?’
and i realized
what a hero
my daughter is
each and every day
and
i was
overwhelmed
all over again
and
i could not
be prouder.
—-
ON HEROES WITHOUT CAPES
“when I was very young, most of my childhood heroes wore capes, flew through the air, or picked up buildings with one arm. they were spectacular and got a lot of attention.but as I grew, my heroes changed, so that now I can honestly say that anyone who does anything to help a child is a hero to me.”
– mr. rogers
Such a beautiful post Beth. Your pride in your daughter, your love of her and the little ones you helped is inspirational. 💜
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thanks, jen –
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Your daughter sounds just as lovely as you Beth 😊😊😊. I love that quote from Mr Rogers – true heroes do not have capes.
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very true )
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Such experiences are everything, and sharing it with your daughter, of who you are rightly very proud, makes it unforgettable. Thanks for sharing, and, of course, any quote from Mother Theresa is worth reflecting on. What a beautiful example of being human she was
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she was an amazing person and i’m always in awe of people who live what she espoused.
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Such tenderness…brought tears to my eyes. Lovely.
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thank you, jennifer –
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So beautiful and touching!
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thanks, jodi –
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That is so amazing Beth on so many levels. That your daughter honored you by becoming a teacher herself. That she chose to teach in a disadvantaged neighborhood. That she has made such an impact on the children she teaches. That her students felt so comfortable n her class that they would ask you personal questions. That you brought stickers they had not seen before and they appreciated them enough to comment. That they accepted you so easily and interacted so well.
Just so many positives about this story – it brought tears of joy to my eyes to read. Thank you for sharing and thank your daughter for her skill and kindness in helping those who so many would spurn.
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happy to share her story, paul )
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What a sweet and touching tribute!
>
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thanks, roy )
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Oh Beth – how wonderful this is. Those are the moments when you receive the most special and greatest gifts of all as a mother, aren’t they? This resonates with me because I worked for a few years in school health in many impoverished charter schools where I found the students to be gifts themselves in my life. And the fact that your daughter’s students love her so much is a true testament of what a great mom you are – of that I am certain. 🙂
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i’m glad this resonated with you and i learn from her all the time )
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Aww what a lovely tribute to your daughter Beth, it brought a tear to my eye. Your daughter followed in your footsteps, how lovely. ❤
Diana xo
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thank you so much, diana –
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My daughter is a beginning teacher, too, and my husband is a teacher who is about to retire. They are both wonderful teachers in different ways–and different subjects. He teaches math, and she teaches English.
I love the Mr. Rogers quote!
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lucky family and i love fred rogers too )
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Very sweet Beth.
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thank you tomnardone.
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So lovely.
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Wow, Beth, your poem is so beautiful! Like mother, like daughter . . .
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thank you, nancy –
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I feel your daughter took right after you, Beth. Touching lives, being warm and loving, encouraging free thought and your visit was perfect. I loved the way you wished you could do more, buy them things but look how a rainbow sticker made a difference. Your visit and all you saw and learned, really warmed my heart, Beth! (Mr. Rogers is one of my heroes, but you and your daughter are also mine.)
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aw, robin thank you and i know you were exactly that same kind of teacher –
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Thank you, Beth. xo
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thanks, robin )
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Heartwarming and beautifully told.
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thank you –
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It takes a special person to do that work, and do it well … Your daughter is such a person. You have every right to be proud of her!
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it really does, jim. and thank you –
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Ahhhh, so beautiful…I’m going to send it to my daughter who is a preschool teacher and sees much of the same with the little ones she teaches. I’m grateful to all of you for helping to make the world a better place, one little heart at a time. Thank you Beth.
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that is really kind of you and my best to your daughter too )
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You epitomize this message. Kindness overflowing.
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thank you very much, dk.
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Oh, Beth. Thank you.
You made a difference to your daughter every day. Your daughter makes a difference to them every day. You made a difference to them that day.
You make a difference to me every day.
They can make a difference to somebody, every day.
Life is quite lovely, the way it goes round and round.
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it does and it goes both ways, my friend.
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One of my favorite posts of yours. Beautiful.
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thank you very much, colleen.
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You’re welcome 🙂
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Is there any greater blessing than knowing you raised your child right and now she is serving others?
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there really isn’t and i agree –
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This is sooooo beautiful….. gave me goose bumps (in a good way:)
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thanks, deb )
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That is wonderful. I agree with Mr. Rogers. 🙂
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thank you, and me too )
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wow…like mother like daughter!!!! ❤ ❤
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)
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Beth this is so beautiful.
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Thank you, mm
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My daughter is studying to be a teacher, as is her current beau. I love hearing about your teaching as it just makes the thought of my daughter’s future profession even more special.
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I’m glad )
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I loved this. It reminded me so much of the few weeks I worked in inner city Dublin in the A and E department. No wonder you’re proud. But you know what they say, “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree”.
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oh, i’ll bet it did. and thank you.
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Aww, what a wonderful proud mama moment for you! ❤
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thanks, rachel )
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Thank you for visiting my blog and for liking one of my posts. Blessings, Natalie 🙂
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my pleasure, natalie )
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A powerful post. I felt some flow of passion from a mother … thankful for her daughter’s great investment into the lives of children, their hearts and minds. I also sensed the flow of passion from a teacher who has a special place in heart for sitting down with kiddos. Bravo, for this post.
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thank you –
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Reblogged this on Gentle Kindness and commented:
I really love this. Compassion matters.
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thank you so much )
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you are welcome 🙂 ❤
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This is absolutely beautiful and it brightened my day! As an assistant teacher, and a single parent, I feel and have felt just the way this lovely poem describes! What a joy you have shared! Thank you! 🙂
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My pleasure )
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Wonderful, just wonderful. Thanks for sharing this.
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Thank you so much
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