After the whole "not being released to attend SF Selection" fiasco in March, Jon was switched over to another batallion. Tonight I attended my first wives' coffee with the ladies of this new batallion. I must admit -- I was a little bit nervous to meet them. It is always a little bit intimidating to walk alone into a situation where everyone knows one another. However, they were wonderful to me, greeting me with hugs and acting like I'd been one of them all along. We had a fantastic time with good food (fondue -- yum yum!) and great conversation. I was so impressed by these women. They were laughing and joking, not one of them feeling sorry for themselves -- not even the new mom with the 4 wk old baby, or the one expecting her first in just a few weeks.
When I got home, I had an email waiting for me from my FRG leader. She sent me the story below, which brought tears to my eyes.
Families Share R&R Moments
Dear Mr. Babcock, I went to the Colorado Springs Airport today (Sunday) to say goodbye to relatives that had visited me this week. As we were standing in line at the ticket counter, I realized that right in front of us were some Soldiers ready to go back to Iraq after their leave. Although the Soldiers are heroes and impressive in their own right, I would like to acknowledge their wives.
The family directly in front of us in line stood there quietly, the Army spouse smoothing her Soldier's uniform, touching his sleeve, holding his waist, trying to touch him enough to last her the next six or so months. One of her hands was on the stroller which carried their son, who was no more than 14 months or so. Her eyes were red rimmed as if she'd cried all night, but as she stood there, no tears fell. Her Soldier must've kissed her forehead a dozen times. No hysteria, no weeping. Deep, deep sorrow, but so much pride. His duffel bag said 1-8 IN, and they've had a rough time of it the past few weeks. She kept her fear in check as she held the stroller, and held her husband.
The family directly in front of them was a little different. Mom and her three teenaged daughters joked, smiled and laughed with their Soldier. The girls giggled as mom teased her Soldier about the wedding ring he should be wearing in the field and the one he saved for home. The girls just laughed as mom and dad bantered. Mom leaned nonchalantly against the counter when her Soldier's turn came to check in. It was when that Soldier put his duffel bag on the scale, when his attention was on the airline employee, that his wife dropped her guard for a moment. There was such a look of profound sadness on her face that tears came to my eyes. One of her girls went to her and hugged her. She looked down at her child and gave her the most brilliant smile. At the same time, the young wife in front of us looked down at her little boy and gave him a brilliant smile. It was as if no matter how hard, no matter how worried, no matter how lonely, these women would continue to be both mom and dad to their kids, fierce supporters of their Soldier and their units and the quietest heroes in this country.
Bravo to those two wives, and all the military spouses who do the same each and every day. Next month sometime, by the grace of God, my kids and I will wait anxiously at the same airport to greet our Soldier when he comes home on leave. I pray that by his same grace, I will be as heroic as those two women today when it comes his time to leave.
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Monday, May 29, 2006
Memorial Day
I know that Memorial Day is a day to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. I thought about the Sims family quite a few times today. I have never met them, but am a regular visitor of Heidi's blog. Quite honestly, I don't know what I would do if I got that dreaded knock at my door.
Last night, I watched We Were Soldiers Once. I know it's probably kind of morbid for me to watch movies like that or Blackhawk Down, but I do. In some ways, it makes all of this seem more real. Often, I find myself thinking that Jon is just traveling for work, and I forget that he's in danger every day. Maybe it's some sort of coping mechanism -- I don't know. Anyways, the scene where the wives are notified of their husbands' deaths always gets to me. I admire the strength of the women who were notified, and those who were in fear every day of recieving a notification. I think they do such a great job in that movie of presenting the soldiers as real people, with real families. I love the scene where it's the night before the men are leaving. They show the men getting into bed with their wives, and you can see the fear in all of their eyes, the sorrow, and the dread ... but also the pride and sense of duty. I could completely relate to that. I remember the night before Jon left this deployment and the night before he left for his first deployment. You don't even want to sleep. Think about Christmas Eve -- you know when you wake up, all of your presents will be waiting for you, and you are trying and trying to go to sleep because you are so excited. I would have to say -- this is the exact opposite feeling that you have the night before your soldier leaves. The time goes by too quickly, and the words are never enough to communicate how much you love this man, how much you'll miss him, and how proud you are of him.
As I remembered those that have lost their lives for our country, I also thought a lot about those who are putting their lives on the line as we speak. Right after Jon left for his first deployment, my mom got me a frame to put his picture in with the following poem.
A Prayer For A Soldier
Almightly God, with Your loving care,
Protect this soldier while in the air.
Make swift his wings and sharp his eye
With Your strenght if danger is nigh.
Oh gracious God, by Your mighty hand,
Keep safe this soldier while on the land.
Make steady his feet and calm his heart
With peace and protection you impart.
Faithful God, we trust in Thee.
Hold fast to this soldier while on the sea.
Make safe his passage from shore to shore,
And bring him home again once more.
-- Stacey Randall
I pray every day that God will return my soldier to me without even a scrape or a scratch. Next Monday is the anniversary of our big wedding ceremony. I am so proud to be his wife.
Last night, I watched We Were Soldiers Once. I know it's probably kind of morbid for me to watch movies like that or Blackhawk Down, but I do. In some ways, it makes all of this seem more real. Often, I find myself thinking that Jon is just traveling for work, and I forget that he's in danger every day. Maybe it's some sort of coping mechanism -- I don't know. Anyways, the scene where the wives are notified of their husbands' deaths always gets to me. I admire the strength of the women who were notified, and those who were in fear every day of recieving a notification. I think they do such a great job in that movie of presenting the soldiers as real people, with real families. I love the scene where it's the night before the men are leaving. They show the men getting into bed with their wives, and you can see the fear in all of their eyes, the sorrow, and the dread ... but also the pride and sense of duty. I could completely relate to that. I remember the night before Jon left this deployment and the night before he left for his first deployment. You don't even want to sleep. Think about Christmas Eve -- you know when you wake up, all of your presents will be waiting for you, and you are trying and trying to go to sleep because you are so excited. I would have to say -- this is the exact opposite feeling that you have the night before your soldier leaves. The time goes by too quickly, and the words are never enough to communicate how much you love this man, how much you'll miss him, and how proud you are of him.
As I remembered those that have lost their lives for our country, I also thought a lot about those who are putting their lives on the line as we speak. Right after Jon left for his first deployment, my mom got me a frame to put his picture in with the following poem.
A Prayer For A Soldier
Almightly God, with Your loving care,
Protect this soldier while in the air.
Make swift his wings and sharp his eye
With Your strenght if danger is nigh.
Oh gracious God, by Your mighty hand,
Keep safe this soldier while on the land.
Make steady his feet and calm his heart
With peace and protection you impart.
Faithful God, we trust in Thee.
Hold fast to this soldier while on the sea.
Make safe his passage from shore to shore,
And bring him home again once more.
-- Stacey Randall
I pray every day that God will return my soldier to me without even a scrape or a scratch. Next Monday is the anniversary of our big wedding ceremony. I am so proud to be his wife.
Monday, May 22, 2006
A Few Random Thoughts ...
COUNTDOWN
Yes ... the ticker at the bottom of the page is correct. Sigh .... ONLY 4 MORE DAYS OF SCHOOL!!! Summer is almost officially here! Hooray!
It's amazing how time passes depending on how you look at it. When I think about the last year in terms of school, it has FLOWN by! When I think about the last 6 months that Jon has been gone -- it seems like 6 years!! I don't know if I'm just on a high because school is almost over or if this is just the truth, but I really feel like I've had a great year with my kids. Despite the one pain in the butt in every class, all of my other kids were so sweet and so much fun! It just feels really nice to be ending the year with such a positive feeling. PLUS (I've probably said this already) I get to move up with my kiddos to 8th grade next year. Hopefully they won't change too much over the summer! I'm such a math geek -- I can't wait to teach them Algebra! Anyways, my point is that it just feels good not to be dreading the start of the next school year, but to be excited about it instead.
MY HANDSOME HUBBY
I really can't wait until I can put up a countdown for when Jon comes home. Right now he is not scheduled to come home for any R&R. Instead, he is supposedly coming home sometime around September. He has decided to go ahead attend Special Forces Selection in October, so he should get to come home a little early to train up. I know, I know -- I'm definitely not going to get my hopes up this time.
I remember this time last year Jon was at Ranger School. He was just finishing Phase I and I hadn't heard a peep from him in over 3 weeks. I think communication-wise that Ranger School was even worse than Iraq! I only got like 2 phone calls and 1 postcard from him the entire 2 1/2 months! (And all the postcard said was "SEND FOOD!!") Anyways, I can remember sitting at our district retirement tea on the last day of school when I saw that my phone was vibrating. By the time I picked it up, it had stopped ringing. I knew it was Jon, but he never got a chance to call back. I knew I would have to wait at least another 3 weeks. Any Army wife reading this has probably been through the same thing! It's so heartbreaking!
SUMMER PLANS
After school gets out, I'm sticking around here for another week, and then heading to Michigan to spend the summer with my family! I am so excited! Every time I tell someone my plans, they kind of wrinkle their nose and say something like, "You're spending the WHOLE summer with your parents?" I wish I could communicate to them how much I'm looking forward to sitting around the dinner table with people I love every night! I know I'll probably get bored and a little annoyed at times, but I'm looking forward to a wonderful "un-lonely" summer! I'll give you more details later!
Okay ... so that's all my random thoughts for now. I thought I'd include this cute picture of Jon in Iraq. I love the ones with kids in them!
Who ever knew bunny ears were universal?
Friday, May 19, 2006
The Lioness of Judah
Today at school, a guest speaker came to share her story with all of our eighth grade students. Although I teach seventh grade this year, I got a chance to sneak over during my planning period and listen to a little bit of what she had to say.
The woman's name was Sara Hauptman. She is 87 years old and a survivor of the Holocaust. Her story was amazing. She lived in Belgium when the Nazis began their extermination of the Jews. At the time, she was a young mother and was forced to give her children to other people while she went into hiding. Then, she joined the Belgian Resistance -- making false identity papers, delivering messages to prisoners, helping allied aviators who were shot down over Belgium. The cover for her underground activities was a job as a lion tamer in a circus.
She told us of the night she was arrested, her time in the holding camps in Belgium, the transport to Auschwitz-Birkenau, and what life was like in the concentration camp. It is certainly one thing to read about all of this, but to hear a real survivor tell about their experiences in person is something totally different. It was moving and intense and unbelievable. She says that she can still smell the stench of burning flesh from the gas chambers. She told us how she witnessed the Nazis murdering babies by throwing them in the air and shooting them. She told us how she watched a seven year old girl plead with one of the guards to let her stay with her mother and work. The man said "sure" and then threw a football for her to go and catch. As he was running to catch it, he shot her. The things she told where unbelievable. I had to leave and go back to class before she told how she had been a victim of Dr. Mengele's experiments.
And I think that I have things to complain about? This woman had literally been to hell and back. Her story was unbelievable. I can't even begin to imagine what life was like for those people. I have always been enthralled by stories from World War II. I bought Sara's book, called The Lioness of Judah and I can't wait to read it. I'll let you all know how it is ...
The woman's name was Sara Hauptman. She is 87 years old and a survivor of the Holocaust. Her story was amazing. She lived in Belgium when the Nazis began their extermination of the Jews. At the time, she was a young mother and was forced to give her children to other people while she went into hiding. Then, she joined the Belgian Resistance -- making false identity papers, delivering messages to prisoners, helping allied aviators who were shot down over Belgium. The cover for her underground activities was a job as a lion tamer in a circus.
She told us of the night she was arrested, her time in the holding camps in Belgium, the transport to Auschwitz-Birkenau, and what life was like in the concentration camp. It is certainly one thing to read about all of this, but to hear a real survivor tell about their experiences in person is something totally different. It was moving and intense and unbelievable. She says that she can still smell the stench of burning flesh from the gas chambers. She told us how she witnessed the Nazis murdering babies by throwing them in the air and shooting them. She told us how she watched a seven year old girl plead with one of the guards to let her stay with her mother and work. The man said "sure" and then threw a football for her to go and catch. As he was running to catch it, he shot her. The things she told where unbelievable. I had to leave and go back to class before she told how she had been a victim of Dr. Mengele's experiments.
And I think that I have things to complain about? This woman had literally been to hell and back. Her story was unbelievable. I can't even begin to imagine what life was like for those people. I have always been enthralled by stories from World War II. I bought Sara's book, called The Lioness of Judah and I can't wait to read it. I'll let you all know how it is ...
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Captivating Anne
Right now, I am reading a book by John and Stasi Eldredge, called Captivating. It's a Christian book about "Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman's Soul." Today, I was reading a section on what makes a woman truly beautiful. The whole point of the section is that real beauty comes from a heart at rest. There is much more to being beautiful, obviously, than what people see on the outside. The authors talk about two different types of women. The first woman is a woman who is striving -- she is not confident that her beauty will last forever, and is therefore continually striving to make herself more beautiful, more perfect. She stresses if she gains a few pounds or needs her roots highlighted. A woman who is striving makes others around her feel like they also need to strive. The message she sends to others is "Get your act together. Life is uncertain. There is no time for your heart here. Shape up. Get busy. That's what is important."
Sigh ... Unfortunately, I think that's probably me 90% of the time.
The other type of woman is the woman whose heart is at rest. This woman is secure in her self-worth. She feels at home in who she is. The message she sends to others is "You are wanted here. I want to know you. Come in. Share yourself. Be enjoyed. Enjoy me as I share myself."
As I read one particular passage, I couldn't help but think about my good friend, Anne.
She is definitely the latter type of woman. This is the passage:
"A woman of true beauty is a woman who in the depths of her soul is at rest, trusting God because she has come to know him to be worthy of her trust. She exudes a sense of calm, a sense of rest, and invites those around her to rest as well. She speaks comfort; she knows that we live in a world at war, that we have a vicious enemy, and our journey is through a broken world. But she also knows that because of God all is well, that all will be well. A woman of true beauty offers others the grace to be and the room to become. In her presence, we can release the tension and pressure that so often grip our hearts. We can also breathe in the truth that God loves us and he is good."
I hope that someday, I can make others around me feel at rest like Anne does -- she is the master! As women, sometimes I feel like we are under so much pressure to be perfect -- no just in our appearance, but also in the things we do. It totally makes sense, though, that the most beautiful women are the ones who are at rest -- remember the story about Mary and Martha? Who would you rather spend time with?
Sigh ... Unfortunately, I think that's probably me 90% of the time.
The other type of woman is the woman whose heart is at rest. This woman is secure in her self-worth. She feels at home in who she is. The message she sends to others is "You are wanted here. I want to know you. Come in. Share yourself. Be enjoyed. Enjoy me as I share myself."
As I read one particular passage, I couldn't help but think about my good friend, Anne.
She is definitely the latter type of woman. This is the passage:
"A woman of true beauty is a woman who in the depths of her soul is at rest, trusting God because she has come to know him to be worthy of her trust. She exudes a sense of calm, a sense of rest, and invites those around her to rest as well. She speaks comfort; she knows that we live in a world at war, that we have a vicious enemy, and our journey is through a broken world. But she also knows that because of God all is well, that all will be well. A woman of true beauty offers others the grace to be and the room to become. In her presence, we can release the tension and pressure that so often grip our hearts. We can also breathe in the truth that God loves us and he is good."
I hope that someday, I can make others around me feel at rest like Anne does -- she is the master! As women, sometimes I feel like we are under so much pressure to be perfect -- no just in our appearance, but also in the things we do. It totally makes sense, though, that the most beautiful women are the ones who are at rest -- remember the story about Mary and Martha? Who would you rather spend time with?
Saturday, May 13, 2006
Saturday Night
I just got back from my regular Saturday night at the movies. This week, I went to see Mission Impossible III. This is totally uncharacteristic of my usual movie choice. I always pick romantic comedies or basically anything other than action or horror. But, I was up for a little change. The movie actually ended up being pretty good. I was on the edge of my seat most of the time.
I used to be a little timid about going to the movies all by myself. It's kind of grown on me, though. You can pick any movie that you want to see. Plus, you don't have to share your popcorn! The only thing is that I feel like I have to make excuses for why I'm alone -- not with my husband or a friend. For example, tonight I saw a coworker as I was walking out of the theater. I totally found myself coming up with things to say in case he asked me if I was here by myself. I know most people usually wouldn't be caught dead somewhere like that by themselves. But I'm not about to just sit home because I don't have a date for the movies!
Anyways ...
One thing I find myself doing all the time since Jon has been gone is thinking about what we would be doing if he was here. It's like a little game we play. We write emails back and forth reminding each other what life would be like if he was here. In all reality, things would be pretty unspectacular, but wonderfully normal. Tonight, for instance, we still would have gone to see MI: III. Jon would have bought our tickets, and I would have bought our treats. Jon would ask for a small popcorn and pop, raise his eyebrows when I ordered a medium for myself, and then complain about how tiny the smalls are. (I guess he usually forgets this fact between Saturday evenings!) Then we would sit down and comment to each other about the previews -- decide which were "Netflix," and which ones we were going to be "SO THERE" for. Jon would then tease me about my high school crush on Tom Cruise, and I would act like I still kind of like him -- you know, just to get him riled up a little. :) At the end of the movie, he would look over to see if I was crying (I usually am), and tease me a little more. Once we got home, we would pick out one of our Netflix, get in our PJs, and cozy up on the couch. Jon would watch the entire thing, and I would be asleep 15 minutes into it.
See ... pretty boring and uneventful. But what I would give to have just had that night. I concluded this week that I'm not really lonely -- I just miss my husband.
Hmmm... almost half way there.
I used to be a little timid about going to the movies all by myself. It's kind of grown on me, though. You can pick any movie that you want to see. Plus, you don't have to share your popcorn! The only thing is that I feel like I have to make excuses for why I'm alone -- not with my husband or a friend. For example, tonight I saw a coworker as I was walking out of the theater. I totally found myself coming up with things to say in case he asked me if I was here by myself. I know most people usually wouldn't be caught dead somewhere like that by themselves. But I'm not about to just sit home because I don't have a date for the movies!
Anyways ...
One thing I find myself doing all the time since Jon has been gone is thinking about what we would be doing if he was here. It's like a little game we play. We write emails back and forth reminding each other what life would be like if he was here. In all reality, things would be pretty unspectacular, but wonderfully normal. Tonight, for instance, we still would have gone to see MI: III. Jon would have bought our tickets, and I would have bought our treats. Jon would ask for a small popcorn and pop, raise his eyebrows when I ordered a medium for myself, and then complain about how tiny the smalls are. (I guess he usually forgets this fact between Saturday evenings!) Then we would sit down and comment to each other about the previews -- decide which were "Netflix," and which ones we were going to be "SO THERE" for. Jon would then tease me about my high school crush on Tom Cruise, and I would act like I still kind of like him -- you know, just to get him riled up a little. :) At the end of the movie, he would look over to see if I was crying (I usually am), and tease me a little more. Once we got home, we would pick out one of our Netflix, get in our PJs, and cozy up on the couch. Jon would watch the entire thing, and I would be asleep 15 minutes into it.
See ... pretty boring and uneventful. But what I would give to have just had that night. I concluded this week that I'm not really lonely -- I just miss my husband.
Hmmm... almost half way there.
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
A Little Angel
I got an email today from Jon with the cutest little story in it:
"I was out the other day at a tribal leader's house and his little boy just came up to me out of the blue ... FOR NO REASON AT ALL!. He was like two years old and a real little fella -- he couldn't even talk. He grabbed for me, so I bent down and he wrapped two arms around my neck and gave me a kiss on the cheek. Then he just walked away ..."
I told my aunt this story today and she was certain this little boy must have been an angel. So I started to think about it. You know how everyone has their own love language? Mine is "words of affirmation" and "quality time." Jon's, on the other hand, is touch. I have a feeling that for the past 5 1/2 months he hasn't felt very loved -- I'm pretty sure all those soldiers over there aren't comforting each other with hugs! I wonder what possessed this sweet little boy to come up to my husband, who I'm sure seemed pretty intimidating with his big shoulders and all dressed in his ACUs (although he does have a really friendly smile!). I'm convinced that God sent this little one to Jon so that he could feel just a hint of how much we are all loving him here at home! It's very cool to think that we sent him a real life hug with all of our prayers!
"I was out the other day at a tribal leader's house and his little boy just came up to me out of the blue ... FOR NO REASON AT ALL!. He was like two years old and a real little fella -- he couldn't even talk. He grabbed for me, so I bent down and he wrapped two arms around my neck and gave me a kiss on the cheek. Then he just walked away ..."
I told my aunt this story today and she was certain this little boy must have been an angel. So I started to think about it. You know how everyone has their own love language? Mine is "words of affirmation" and "quality time." Jon's, on the other hand, is touch. I have a feeling that for the past 5 1/2 months he hasn't felt very loved -- I'm pretty sure all those soldiers over there aren't comforting each other with hugs! I wonder what possessed this sweet little boy to come up to my husband, who I'm sure seemed pretty intimidating with his big shoulders and all dressed in his ACUs (although he does have a really friendly smile!). I'm convinced that God sent this little one to Jon so that he could feel just a hint of how much we are all loving him here at home! It's very cool to think that we sent him a real life hug with all of our prayers!
Monday, May 08, 2006
The Stair-Stepper from Hell
I could either go to the gym right now or write another blog. I am totally avoiding actually working out today, so how about if I combine the two and just write about working out? It will still burn calories, right? (yeah -- wouldn't that be a perfect world!)
Yesterday I really did have the desire to get moving. So I woke up early before church, packed Jon's camelback, and headed for a hike in Manitou Springs. Now, I'm not stupid enough to actually venture out on the trails all by myself (I'm totally scared of bears and mountain lions and basically any kind of little critter). But there is one trail in Manitou that ALWAYS has tons of people on it. A long time ago, there used to be a railroad that took people up to Pike's Peak. Since, then, a newer, more advanced railroad -- "The Cog" -- has been built. However, the railroad ties from the old route are still in place, and it is a favorite place for Coloradans (and visitors who are willing to brave the altitude) to test their character and endurance. It is known as the Manitou Incline (aka -- The Stair-Stepper from Hell).
The "Incline" doesn't reach all the way up to Pikes Peak anymore. It does go up about a mile, though. And although the hike up is TORTUROUS, the way down is heavenly -- a 4 mile hike down a series of switchbacks with unbelievable scenery. Anyway -- back to the actual incline. Yesterday I decided it was time for my first hike up the incline this year. I have to say -- I have been avoiding it for a few weeks now. I actually got a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach as I was driving there. But 47 minutes after I took my first step, I was so proud of myself for reaching the top, and felt such a sense of accomplishment -- it was all worth it. After that, I listened to praise music the whole way down and just enjoyed all of the beauty that God surrounded us with here in the Springs. I can't wait to go again next weekend.
Here is a picture that Jon took a few summers ago. I am the blond girl who looks like she's about to die. The picture only shows about the last 1/4 of the incline. It is a LONG way up!
Yesterday I really did have the desire to get moving. So I woke up early before church, packed Jon's camelback, and headed for a hike in Manitou Springs. Now, I'm not stupid enough to actually venture out on the trails all by myself (I'm totally scared of bears and mountain lions and basically any kind of little critter). But there is one trail in Manitou that ALWAYS has tons of people on it. A long time ago, there used to be a railroad that took people up to Pike's Peak. Since, then, a newer, more advanced railroad -- "The Cog" -- has been built. However, the railroad ties from the old route are still in place, and it is a favorite place for Coloradans (and visitors who are willing to brave the altitude) to test their character and endurance. It is known as the Manitou Incline (aka -- The Stair-Stepper from Hell).
The "Incline" doesn't reach all the way up to Pikes Peak anymore. It does go up about a mile, though. And although the hike up is TORTUROUS, the way down is heavenly -- a 4 mile hike down a series of switchbacks with unbelievable scenery. Anyway -- back to the actual incline. Yesterday I decided it was time for my first hike up the incline this year. I have to say -- I have been avoiding it for a few weeks now. I actually got a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach as I was driving there. But 47 minutes after I took my first step, I was so proud of myself for reaching the top, and felt such a sense of accomplishment -- it was all worth it. After that, I listened to praise music the whole way down and just enjoyed all of the beauty that God surrounded us with here in the Springs. I can't wait to go again next weekend.
Here is a picture that Jon took a few summers ago. I am the blond girl who looks like she's about to die. The picture only shows about the last 1/4 of the incline. It is a LONG way up!
Parents -- UGH!
Teaching would be so easy if it wasn't for PARENTS.
After returning from a workshop today, I got on the computer to check my school email - just making sure I didn't miss anything major today. Most of them were same-old, everyday "who wants to work in the dunk-tank at the carnival on the last day of school," "it's time for the budget committee to meet," "band concert tomorrow night, " yadda yadda yadda. Until I get to the last one -- a parent basically informing me that I have failed her son as a teacher this year. WHAAAAAT???
I'm honestly crushed. I don't even know how to respond to this. It seems that this parent has waited until the last three weeks of school to tell me how much of a disservice my teaching has been to her child, how I personally have failed their family -- basically pinning any responsibility for her son's struggles this year on me. In my 3 years of teaching, I have NEVER had a parent complaint that I can remember. My classroom is very structured, my expectations for my students are very high, and I think I do a pretty good job of holding kids accountable. I don't even want to call or email her back, because I'm afraid what I have to say could get me fired! And the sad thing is -- I really like her son. UGH! I guess I need to just wipe my tears, stop taking it personally, and just let the whole thing go.
Or, I could refer her to the parent hotline ...
SCHOOL ANSWERING MACHINE
"Hello! You have reached the automated answering service of your school. In order to assist you in connecting the right staff member, please listen to all your options before making a selection:
"To lie about why your child is absent - Press 1
"To make excuses for why your child did not do his work- Press 2
"To complain about what we do - Press 3
"To swear at staff members - Press 4
"To ask why you didn't get information that was already enclosed in your newsletter and several flyers mailed to you - Press 5
"If you want us to raise your child - Press 6
"If you want to reach out and touch, slap or hit someone - Press 7
"To request another teacher for the third time this year- Press 8
"To complain about bus transportation - Press 9
"To complain about school lunches - Press 0
"If you realize this is the real world and your child must be accountable and responsible for his/her own behavior, class work, homework, and that it's not the teachers' fault for your child's lack of effort: Hang up and have a nice day!"
After returning from a workshop today, I got on the computer to check my school email - just making sure I didn't miss anything major today. Most of them were same-old, everyday "who wants to work in the dunk-tank at the carnival on the last day of school," "it's time for the budget committee to meet," "band concert tomorrow night, " yadda yadda yadda. Until I get to the last one -- a parent basically informing me that I have failed her son as a teacher this year. WHAAAAAT???
I'm honestly crushed. I don't even know how to respond to this. It seems that this parent has waited until the last three weeks of school to tell me how much of a disservice my teaching has been to her child, how I personally have failed their family -- basically pinning any responsibility for her son's struggles this year on me. In my 3 years of teaching, I have NEVER had a parent complaint that I can remember. My classroom is very structured, my expectations for my students are very high, and I think I do a pretty good job of holding kids accountable. I don't even want to call or email her back, because I'm afraid what I have to say could get me fired! And the sad thing is -- I really like her son. UGH! I guess I need to just wipe my tears, stop taking it personally, and just let the whole thing go.
Or, I could refer her to the parent hotline ...
SCHOOL ANSWERING MACHINE
"Hello! You have reached the automated answering service of your school. In order to assist you in connecting the right staff member, please listen to all your options before making a selection:
"To lie about why your child is absent - Press 1
"To make excuses for why your child did not do his work- Press 2
"To complain about what we do - Press 3
"To swear at staff members - Press 4
"To ask why you didn't get information that was already enclosed in your newsletter and several flyers mailed to you - Press 5
"If you want us to raise your child - Press 6
"If you want to reach out and touch, slap or hit someone - Press 7
"To request another teacher for the third time this year- Press 8
"To complain about bus transportation - Press 9
"To complain about school lunches - Press 0
"If you realize this is the real world and your child must be accountable and responsible for his/her own behavior, class work, homework, and that it's not the teachers' fault for your child's lack of effort: Hang up and have a nice day!"
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
The Best Yet ...
I have to say -- last night may have been the best girl's night yet with our little "Poker Night" group. Instead of having our normal dinner and poker playing, we took the party to Memorial Hospital, where we inducted our newest member, Lisa's precious new daughter, Taylor. We brought pizza and some other goodies, and snuck in a few bottles of wine and celebrated Little Miss Taylor's arrival.
Honey, if you're reading this -- I want one!!
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