Something Beautiful

When I graduated from college, I received a book as a gift from a rather eccentric lady, a good friend of my mom’s. It was a copy of the book by Malcom Muggeridge on Mother Teresa (now Saint Teresa of Kolkata) - Something Beautiful for God. In the front cover was a scrawled missive, “May your teacher life be something beautiful for God.” It was years before I read the book, but the inscription went straight to my mind and heart. It never left.

If I counted up all the schools I have set foot in as a teacher or consultant, it would be well over 20. I know. Nothing says ADHD quite like my resume. At any rate, I attempted to leave each place bettter than I found it. I tried to see each student as a treasure and to be part of something beautiful for their future. I did always hope to do something beautiful for God, together with my collegueas and friends. I think most days, we did.

It struck me today as I shared lunch with some teacher friends and looked at hand written notes they had gathered from my current students that my teacher life has also been something beautiful FROM God. So many smiles, so many books enjoyed together, so many moments of growth, so many true friends that I have made from my teacher life. I have been given so many gifts that will last forever.

One of the notes I received today stated, “Miss Awe you gave me the best time of my life. I wish that you could be here more longer if I could do anything I would love to be your sunshine even in the nighttime.”

So, maybe we didn’t learn all the grammar! But damn, we did nail those metaphors. This note will bring me a smile for years to come.

I am truly grateful for this teacher life. I am feeling happy and hopeful for days with a little less to do and a little more time to just be. When a couple of my students threw things out the window today, I just laughed. I would have done such a thing myself on a warm day in May in the 7th grade. It feels good to let go. It feels good to celebrate. It feels good to be bursting with appreciation for all the gifts along the way.

Thanks for reading,

Ellen