[tri-wings] Re: How do you tell people?

On Nov 18, 2005, at 1:02 AM,  "Karen" <karens@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> She is a high school teacher and its hard enough to tell your  
> collegues as we all know, but she is equally, if not more worried  
> about her Year 8 students. There is one young girl that she is  
> particularly worried about as she lost both parents in an accident  
> a few months ago and isnt dealing all that well with it.
Karen,
When we heard about Hope's condition, it was the middle of June when  
we were out of school on summer break.  But since I expected her to  
go into labor at any time, I had to talk to the principal and  
superintendent so that they would also be prepared to call a sub and  
let me have the time off when she did.  When school started in  
September, I expected that call at any time.  So I told my students  
(yes, I taught 8th graders and all of the other grades because I  
teach English as a Second Language and we have about 150 students  
learning English.)  I cried as I told them - every class.  But I also  
told them how far along she was and how that had given me hope.  They  
had a the rainbow ribbon printed on my bulletin board.  And they  
could go to the websites to get more information.  I don't think many  
of them did - just because of their language, but it was helpful for  
me to be able to say, "If I'm not here tomorrow, remember, this is  
what you are supposed to be doing."

We got the call on October 31st, Halloween.  We didn't jump right in  
the car and go like we should have.  We had to call principals and  
superintendent and bus supervisor about subs. And we didn't have  
suitcases packed.  We left about 10:00 p.m.  Hope was born before we  
got there, but we didn't know that until we got to the hospital...   
When the students heard the next morning, there was an overwhelming  
ring of support.  We were 300 miles away, but I got a packet of  
letters from all of my students.  It was amazing.  There was more  
support from them then the teaching staff.  I have never felt  
uncomfortable talking about Hope with my students.  Or my dad, who  
also died 2 years earlier.  This is part of life.  I feel that the  
more we talk about it, the more comfortable we become.  And kids  
will, too.

Sheila
MN Grandma to Hope (T-18 Nov1,01) & Alison, Cadence & Bridge
Mom to Cheryl (& Denny) and Wade (& Charity)
Wife to hubby, Richard
Those who wish to sing always find a song.  Swedish Proverb

B




                  Building ___ooOOoo__ Rainbows
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