I know you're totally expecting me to write a tearjerker mixed with some funny about Mother's Day. Weeeelll, not today! Maybe in a little while, because I do have ideas rolling around about that topic. But, something that has been on my heart over the last week was Teacher Appreciation Week. So, that's what you're gonna get today :)
We reward a lot in today's society...mainly beauty, hotness, sexiness, the ability to sing or play an instrument really well (if you have the right looks or sound), the ability to perform on a big screen, crazy athletic ability, the ability to "climb to the top" of the proverbial ladder - at any costs, and sometimes just fame itself for no particular reason (like what the heck did a Kardashian do?). People who fall into these categories get paid bazillions of dollars. Like crazy money. Weekly paychecks that are more than my husband and I make in a year combined.
I'm definitely NOT busting the rewards. I'm not an "everybody get a juice box" kinda girl. My dog's named Dubya, for Heaven's sake & I love Ronald Reagan. Ha. I do think that we get a bit of our priorities mixed up when it comes to seeing what is important. This brings me to my thoughts on Teacher Appreciation Week. A few of my very closest friends are teachers, so I feel like I get a little insight to some of what they do, but will never fully understand it because it's not my chosen profession & I'm not walking in their shoes on the daily. I'll tell you what I do see & what I do know, though. I see my friends put in countless hours creating lesson plans, grading papers, doing continuing education, taking tests to become nationally certified (which I've learned is a big deal accomplishment in the world of education), talking to parents, dealing with children who have behavioral problems, or family problems, or just need a friend. They deal with huge life changing events with children - deaths, divorce, abuse, bullying, etc. They worry about these children after the final bell rings, overnight, on the weekends, in the summers. These people care beyond measure.
These people also have families for which to care. They give their all to their students all day long...then they have their families to love on - practices to attend, being the momma taxi, providing dinner, providing homework help to their kids, making lunches, getting costumes for fill-in-the-blank - special day at school, being an attentive wife/husband, a housekeeper, attending church, finding time to exercise, and maybe even get a little social time, and a little sleep in between. Wow. Are you tired reading this? I'm tired just typing this!
I also must shed light on the amount of clout that teachers hold in the lives of our children. Teachers can make or break a whole lot. I should know....I've had a combined amount of about 20 years of school. I can call my teachers by name that encouraged me, that made me feel special, that made me feel like I was loved, that made me walk down certain paths, that found ways to make learning fun, that made difficult subjects easy to learn and remember, teachers who brought me extra work because I loved a certain subject. I can tell you who cared about me as a person. There is a flip side to this. I can also name a teacher that I might would go as far as to say that she ruined part of my life. I can remember the dark words that she spoke to me. I can remember like it was yesterday, the way that she made me feel small, dumb, untrustworthy, ugly, and worthless. If you knew the amount of years that had passed and how easily I can recall these things, you would realize how much power that words have, especially over young lives. I share this with you to say that the importance that teachers have on our children is just absolutely immeasurable and incomparable.
So, why aren't these wonderful people receiving more rewards in our society? I know that my girls' teachers loved getting a free time during lunch this week. I'm sure that they loved the cute little apple shaped chalkboards that we gave them this week. I know that they are super duper appreciative of every extra pencil, dry erase marker, and hand sanitizer that we send in to help. But, if it were my call, I'd give them Kardashian money. How do you think the CEO succeeded? How do you think that the rapper even learned words? What about the musician - most of them didn't teach themselves EVERYTHING that they know? Teachers! It all comes down to teachers! They really make the world go round! They help shape self images, hone strengths, cheer kids on, and help to overcome weaknesses, or accept them graciously. They cry for your kids, they cheer for your kids, and they love your kids like their own....and they may even miss them a little as they see them grow and don't have them as itty bitty kids anymore.
Teacher friends - I think you are GREAT! I hope you all had a wonderful Teacher Appreciation Week. Know that you are appreciated by me and my family for sure! You deserve more than Kardashian money. You deserve a massage in the teacher's lounge, Piper and Leaf tea everyday, and free peace and calming essential oil to diffuse over yourself. I see you in the classroom, working tirelessly to teach the next generation of meteorologists, nurses, doctors, writers, engineers, hairdressers, travel agents, and astronauts. I see you loving your families & making a difference in their lives. I see you hugging a child that might not ever receive one at home. I see you answering my texts with questions about my babies after hours. I see you reassuring me that I'm not "that mom" (ha ha). I see you having conferences. I see you caring. I see you changing lives. I see you - and I appreciate you. You play a part (in a big way) in what my children will be - what their interests will be - if they will feel encouraged & confident, or defeated and afraid. I see you....and, most of all, I am thankful - and I appreciate you..my whole family appreciates you :)
Whenever the Hall family hits the lottery - we will especially remember you :) Okay...maybe don't hold your breath on the last one...but, do know that we pray for you...and THAT is better than the jackpot!!!!
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