One awesome thing about being a teacher is that you meet people from all walks of life... old and young. It's a profession that continues to grow and attract a vast array of people. Today, I learned that one of my older coworker friends passed away. She was 54...only 20 years older than me. It's been 2 years since I've seen her, but we've remained email pals, emailing each other every couple of months with new updates about our schools and lives.
Here's my final email written to her... I might as well make it public since she won't read it.
Dear Delores,
I remember helping you in the computer lab one day, and you were asking me so many questions about where and how I learned how to work with computers. You mentioned that you were interested in learning more about them, and how you think it would be awesome to go to school someday and take computer classes. I remember thinking how cool you were to be interested in technology! I really began to notice you that day... how full of life.. and energy and positivity you were.
I remember our chats on the playground about the kids and the other teachers...and how our administration needed a change. My heart broke for you when our boss made you leave campus in tears. It never felt right seeing you with hurt feelings. I remember some of your frustrations with the overall lack of respect from some students... it amazed me how you really took an interest in each child regardless of how they treated you. It also amazed me how brave you were to keep coming back to our negative work environment and how you kept on standing up for yourself.
I saw you last month at Walmart...and I wanted to say hi to you, but you were going one way and I was going the other. I tried waving, but you didn't notice and I just went on my merry way. I really regret not forcing myself to stop and say hello. I had no idea it would be the last time I would see you. I frequently thought about writing you an email this last month to say hello...but I was too busy.
Anyways. Enough of regrets. I just wanted to say... thank you for being one of the only friendly faces I could look forward to seeing my first year teaching. You were one of the only people who welcomed me..and supported me ...and made me feel good about what I was doing at my job. I felt like you really saw my efforts with the kids when nobody else did. You didn't know this.. but that was one of the worse years of my life....and people like you...made it possible for me to survive and get through the most unbearable of days. I would think *oh look there's Delores! At least I can go and talk to her about this place!* So thank you for that friend. Thank you for reaching out to me and emailing me even when you didn't have to...
I hope you find peace. I hope you are comfortable. I hope you can feel the love from those who loved you here.
Good Bye Friend.
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