Rest In Peace Anthony

When I first started working in schools, I started as a multi-needs assistant.  I learned SO much about myself, teaching, and life in general while being an aide.  I worked with some really amazing teachers, kids, and families.  I can't help but smile when I think about the laughs I had with the kids.  I remember singing endless Disney songs with one student, spinning and jumping to get the energy out with another, trying my hardest to help a student get over their mental block over the number 3 (he would ALWAYS forget it when counting!), hanging out in the bathroom having deep conversations while waiting for the kiddo to "go", and so much more.  These kids touched my life and my heart.

It was my last year as an assistant.  I was a kindergarten teacher in the morning, and an assistant in the afternoon. One year, I was helping as an assistant with a sweet boy named Anthony.  He was a cute kid.  He had dark brown hair, happy eyes, and the biggest smile you'd ever see!  He was born with Spina Bifida, and had a wheelchair.  He also had braces on his legs, and would switch between being in and out of his chair.  I remember him making me laugh because he'd always want to be mischievous (in a good-natured way).  If I said it was time for his chair, he'd quickly crawl away, giggling the whole time.  When I said it was time to work his legs, he'd grumble.  But, I had a secret weapon- John Cena!  Anthony loved wrestling and he loved John Cena.  I would use this to my advantage when I could.  :)  Anthony loved to talk about wrestling, being tough, and things that he liked to do for fun.  He was a happy kid, with an amazing outlook on things.

Anthony left to have a few surgeries, and I didn't see him for a while.... until one day I was at a family party with my in-laws, and who comes in???  Anthony!!  I was surprised, to say the least!  I asked why he was there, and I then found out he is the nephew of my brother & sister-in-law.  What a small world!  I didn't get to see him too often, a couple times a year at family parties, etc.  But, I have to say that I have really enjoyed seeing him get older, and no matter how old he got, he always had his same, bright smile!

The reason I'm reflecting on this today, is that today is Anthony's wake.  I can't imagine the heartache and loss that Anthony's parents must be feeling today, and my heart and prayers go out to them. I want them to know that this world was left a better place because of Anthony.  If there was anyone that could have been upset with "his lot in life", I could've been him.  Yet, he chose to show the world he could be positive, and I find that incredible.  One thing is for sure- John Cena is sure to win all his matches because he's got an extra angel watching over him now!  God Bless and keep you, Anthony!

**On a personal note, if you are willing and able, please consider donating to Anthony's family to cover the cost of his final expenses.  You can find the link to donate any amount here: https://www.gofundme.com/2b9nqk4

I'm baaaaaack!!!

I have been gone for a long time, but now I have the goal to be back again.  I have some ideas for new posts floating around in my brain, and I'm re-focusing myself.  

To say that "last school year was crazy" would be the understatement of all understatements.  I don't know how closely you follow the state of education, or are involved in your child/ren's school, but there is a lot of unsettling initiatives and battles happening in education.  So, yeah, it's been an insane year trying to keep up with it all.  And, quite frankly, I wasn't inspired to write anything.  I felt I was doing all I could as a mother of my girls, doing the best I could as a teacher to my class of kiddos, and trying to keep my head afloat to meet the demands of the teaching profession overall. With all that going on, my creativity and inspiration kind of took a back seat, and  so, here I am now... over a year later, posting again.  So!  Without further delay, I'd like to talk about something that happened the other day at the movies that is STILL sticking with me.

The other day, I took the girls to the movies to see Finding Dory. (It was great, by the way!)  At our theater, you pick your seats so it makes it hard to sneak your way into a theater and find seats (like we some people used to do as teenagers!)  However, it never fails that there is ALWAYS someone that tries to do it.  They sit somewhere, the true "renters" of the seats come, kick out the trespassers, then they go find somewhere else.  This exact scenario happened the other day.  I'm assuming the man was the little girl's dad, and I'm assuming that he didn't have the money to take his girl to the movie.  (Yes, I'm making assumptions here, but I like to think I'm pretty good at reading people and guessing at their back-story.)

Anyway, they were caught, yelled at by some guy, and they relocated to 2 different seats.  These happened to be the seats that I knew for a fact my friends had, but they just weren't there yet.  I stood up, and made my way over to let him know those seats were taken and that he needs to go buy tickets to get the seats.  Before I got to him, another woman had walked over and was talking to him.  I only caught snippets of their conversation: "You need to purchase tickets in this theater."..... "I lost our tickets."....."I have 2 seats... people aren't coming, so they're open... I'll show you where."..... This absolutely floored me.  I had been prepared to tell this guy essentially to get lost, yet this woman offered her seats to him.  Why would she do that??  This honestly stuck with me over the last couple days, and I thought about it all through the movie.  That woman did it for the little girl.  She guessed her dad had problems, yet imagine that little girl if she had to get kicked out of the movie.  How heartbroken.... How tragic of an event this day could have been for her....  This woman's simple act of kindness was amazing to me.  She didn't do it for any reason other than to show thought for that little girl.  It was this simple act that finally inspired me again.   Amen to this.  This woman's act of kindness may go forgotten by that man.  It might be forgotten by the little girl.  However, the alternative, if she hadn't intervened?  That could have had incredible effects to them.  

You know how I am always spouting that there are signs everyone?  I believe this could be another.  A reminder to choose kindness at all times.  Thank God this lady got to the man before I did.  And, thank God I witnessed such an act of kindness.

Until next time... take care, and choose kindness!!