A humbling dose of creativity.

I have experienced an incredibly blessed life so far, and am reminded all too often through my students' personal challenges and experiences to keep things in perspective. In addition to the humbling doses of harsh life experiences that several of my students use as building blocks for moving their futures in more positive directions, I also have ample opportunities to observe and coach my students through their teen angst periods. This afternoon I stayed after school to be a guest in the Creative Writing class end of the year showcase. The students created their personal stories using an approach called Digital Storytelling. The theme was challenges. 

Several of the stories entailed heartbreaking topics including substance abuse, struggles with depression, suicide attempts, and sick parents. These stories were touching, of course. Two of the stories stood out over the rest. Both were fairly simple stories. One story was told by a male student who explained that visiting prisons as part of his church ministry programs was one of his biggest life challenges. His poignant story explained how time pauses for inmates, how he could tell the time period that the inmates who had been incarcerated for longer periods of time had entered into the prison system by their hair styles and experience with current technologies, and how his perception of the "type" of person that he would find in prison shifted. 

The second story was told by my student who invited me to the event. She started by sharing comments that a group of girls berated her with during her middle school years. A few of the comments were "Why is your butt so small; why are your eyes so big and head so small; how could you be black with a body like that" My eyes filled with tears as she shared these hateful words that I am sure she heard more than just once. Her voice did not quiver, nor did she fall into a cycle of despair. Instead, she responded by coming to the conclusion that she could do nothing to control the body type she had inherited, nor could she help that her features did not fit the standard of beauty that these girls expected. Her mature perspective uplifted her, and gave her the strength to stand-up to the thoughtless words that her peers threw at her. I felt touched truly touched by her story. Although she came out of the experience on the positive side, it made me sad that she had to hear so many unfair judgements. 

Strawberries

These are beautiful strawberries from Goldsboro that were picked on Saturday. My uncle purchased a flat of strawberries and split them up between my aunt's family members and myself. I have been enjoying these beauties in my morning juice (spinach, banana, strawberries, almond milk) and throughout the day. I love strawberries because they are absolutely delicious but also because their local arrival signifies the beginning of my favorite time of year--summer!

Appreciation Week

Teacher appreciation week always sneaks up on me at the end of each year, and every year, it seems like a nice way to start to conclude another year in the classroom. Some years teacher appreciation week at the high school gets lost in the hustle and bustle of the end of the year testing, stress, and after-hours activities. This year in particular, I felt that administrators, parents, and even students shared their thanks. The PTA was kind enough to donate small gifts including gift cards, care packages, first edition books, and baked goods so that our principal could do a daily morning drawing. Each teacher will get a gift. I was so excited to get a $20 Kroger gift card on Monday! Today a student brought a fresh rose to each of her teachers. Since I co-teach with two other teachers throughout the day, we have three beautiful roses brightening up our space. The kind comments and simple thanks that I have heard from many of my students have brightened my week, and helped to ease the very stressful last few weeks of the school year.

This has also been an interesting week because I have thought about how thankful I am for the care that Ru's teachers have given him over the last seven months. I cannot imagine caring for so many babies at the same time. They do such a great job, and do so with ease. They also work hard to help Ru build his physical skills, as well as encourage his curiosity and play.

Friends!

I'm so grateful for all my friends. From my "Decatur Girls" to friends from my hometown to college friends spread near and far . . . I am so thankful for each of them. As you know, I've been dealing with a bump in the road called "unemployment" and the bump has been ugly, ego-crushing and longer than I had planned. However, the support I have received from my friends has enabled me to maintain a positive attitude. Kind words, a home cooked meal, flowers, a drink, a friendly ear -- all these gestures have meant so much.  Thank you, friends! I love each and every one of you! 

-Meredith 

Nurses Day

Today is Nurses Day and this week is Nurses Week. Today I am taking a moment to be thankful for nurses. After being a patient I have a new appreciation for nurses. I spent a lot of time with nurses during my recent hospitalization. In fact, a nurse was in my room every hour for five days (!) draining 10 ml of cerebrospinal fluid out of my body. I got to know my nurses quite well and had a few nurses for several shifts during that time. We discussed their hobbies, upcoming weddings, families. More importantly, they provided compassionate, competent care, and helped me return to health!

I am also extremely thankful that I am a nurse myself! I would much rather be on the nurse side of healthcare than on the patient side. I have learned so much from my patients. I consider it an honor that I have been able to care for them and their families during one of the most joyful (occasionally heartbreaking) times of their lives. 

The picture below is of classmates and me washing the feet of migrant workers in Moultrie, GA during June 2011. As you all know, I have a slight aversion to feet. However, give me a pair of gloves and I am game for just about anything!