Monday, July 30, 2007

You Learn

Today, at Pumpkin's request, we drove about 15 minutes north, to a library in another town.

Pumpkin's 4th grade teacher told the class at the end of the school year, that she got a part time job at this library.  And, Pumpkin really wanted to visit her teacher!

So, thanks to google maps directions, we headed out, didn't get lost, and found Pumpkin's teacher just heading into the library as we arrived! 

Mrs. M had a very tough year this past school year.  Her husband was killed in a hit and run, while out walking their dog, 4 days before Christmas.  They did find and arrest the teen, who had been drunk driving.  So sad.

Mrs. M is 72 and she and her husband were just planning on retiring this year to begin to travel together.  Mrs. M did not retire as planned, she credits her wonderful 'kids' for helping her to keep going in the face of this tragedy. 

It was really amazing to see.  The kids totally rallyed around her the whole year, writing her notes and giving her hugs when they saw she looked sad.

I actually had Mrs. M thirty years ago when I was in the same middle school.  She was the reading specialist at that time.  I was in one of the 'higher' class levels so we took spanish 4 days a week and reading skills one day a week.  Other classes took reading 5 days a week. 

As it turned out, Mrs. M's little library had an excellent young adult section, and Pumpkin took out 3 books at her teacher's recommendation, and Fuzzy 6 books!  Yay!  We also had a very nice visit with Mrs. M.  You could tell she was just thrilled to see Pumpkin Muffin, and introduced her around as her star student!!!

I cannot begin to tell you how happy I am that these three kids have inherited my love of reading!  ;-)

Hammer didn't get any books today, but he has several piled up to read right now, here at home, so it's all good!

This afternoon we are heading over to the pool.  Bob and Ilene's children, Peanut and DogBoy are on the swim team, and they have a swim meet tonight!!  It should be fun! 

The kids can actually cheer on their friends from in the water!  So, you can imagine how excited the kids are to go!

In other news, I made my appointment with my rheumatologist for August 7th!  Okay????  lol

Thank you all for your comments yelling at me, as soon as I got online, I remembered - 'Uh oh!  Call the doc!' lol

be well,
Dawn

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

Mrs. M sounds like a wonderful teacher, How nice that you had her also. That's to bad about her husband. Just getting ready to retire and travel together. Very sad. Happy that they caught the kid that drove drunk.

Anonymous said...

good girl...lol

Anonymous said...

That is terribly sad about Mrs M I wish her well and prayers will be said for her.How lovely the children were to her.They will bring her so much joy and take her mind off other things.It's good for kids to read,I can understand you being so pleased they do.Glad you found the library and saw Pumpkins teacher there.Hope you have a good day at the pool .Take Care God Bless Kath
astoriasand http://journals.aol.co.uk/astoriasand/MYSIMPLERHYMES

Anonymous said...

That is so sad about Mrs M. We have a big push over here at the moment on not just drunk driving, but driving under the influence of Drugs too. We should be like Denmark and say no DRINKING AND DRIVING at all!
Gaz xxx

Anonymous said...

Pumpkins teacher inspired them enough her students in turn gave the gift back tenfold. I love hearing stories about teachers that actually care about their students instead of looking at them as a name in a classroom. Reading is a wonderful gift indeed. If you haven't checked out Astar's journal Adventures Of A Eclective Mind you should I'll leave you the link. She comments on something similiar to what you have said here. I think you would enjoy it! (Hugs) Indigo
http://journals.aol.com/astaryth/AdventuresofanEclecticMind/entries/2007/07/29/the-artsy-essay-is-back/711

Anonymous said...

Wow I am so sorry to hear about this tragedy for this wonderful teacher... glad they did get the driver and charge him though.  How sad this happened right b4 they were about to retire.  Very thoughtful of Pumpkin to wanna visit her.  And good mommy for going!!
Lisa

Anonymous said...

I know how a teacher can effect the life a child. I am happy your daughter found one. She must have been thrilled to get a visitor today !!! How sweet.
I WISH my son would read more, my daugher seems to like it so far, but my son is another story.
hugs,
Ellen

Anonymous said...

that is so good they like to read.  I had a hard time with Steve.. that is until goose bumps came out.  OMG!!!  Read 2 books in about a day.  LOL  He had a huge collection
hugs
d

Anonymous said...

It is so strange, but this entry reminds me of a wonderful place in my life! I guess this is where my love of reading started its coarse. I enjoy my reads whether it be books, letters or journals, my fondest memories are with reading! Thank you for sharing this entry! Enjoy!
http://journals.aol.com/ktkamanski/HappyBeingMe/

Anonymous said...

what sweet children to take care of theri teacher
Marti

Anonymous said...

ok glad you have the appt:) glad you all got to go and visit pumpkins teacher she sounds like a great teacher:) enjoy your week

Deb

Anonymous said...

Glad you made that appointment.  I don't push people about going to the doctor because I'm not dilligant with checkups and all and it sounds hypocritical to say anything when I went two years ago but I do have an excuse.  Whenever I say,"I've got a headache." and someone says,"Well, go see a doctor." I usually say,"Can't.  No insurance. Do you think you could pay for me to go?"  Gets'em everytime! -Dawn-

Anonymous said...

You have great kids!  Aren't you glad you drove that extra distance to visit her?  I cried when I read her story.  She must have been a wonderful teacher!
Lori

Anonymous said...

Good for you for making your appointment!  So nice to visit a teacher who means something to you.  I still haven't finished Harry.  He just said Voldemort and now they are surrounded!  Time for a break!
Traci

Anonymous said...

Now wasn't that sweet of that child to want to visit her teacher??? I am so glad that you went!!! ANd I know that teacher was too!
I had began to think that my daughter was not going to love reading, because hse has dyslexia, but thanks to extra help on it, she learned to read and has also learned to LOVE IT! I have always said, that if you can read and cmprehend...you can learn anything!
love ya,
carlene
ps...glad you got the dr. appt.!

Anonymous said...

I sure wish one of my kids would of inherited my love of reading but so far none of them have.  Linda

Anonymous said...

I always used to think if I hadn't grown up on an isolated farm that I would spend all my summers in the library.  

Russ

Anonymous said...

I'm so happy the kids love to read. Ky loves it too. I'm getting a new baby pretty soon and I'll read to him too and hope he loves it.
Take care, Chrissie
http://journals.aol.com/nay0114/almost-paradise-ii/

Anonymous said...

How sad about Mrs M...reminds me of a couple in our neighbourhood..they used to walk every day holding hands..they were in their late 70's..well one day the garbage truck didn't see them and backed into them..she died from her injuries...he died 3 months later of a broken heart...i still get sad when i drive past their house...
I love reading too but niether of my kids do.. :-(
Lyn

Anonymous said...

That was so sad about her husband, you work all your life looking for the good stuff to happen. The kids have big hearts to feel compassion for her, she must be an excellent teacher. Love of reading is the best thing that you can pass to your kids...I did it with mine too. They love to read, they love to seek knowledge....love, Sandi

Anonymous said...

Mrs. M sounds like a sweetheart.  I think it's wonderful your kids love to read!  I wish mine where more excited about it...  Take care - Julie

Anonymous said...

Finally with the appointment! Don't make me get snippy again, ya hear?

I love seeing kids read. Glad yours are readers, too. --Cin

Anonymous said...

I find it amazing how (some?) Americans carrying on working to such a great age.My Mum's cousin, who is well into her 70's is still working full time on a voluntary basis at a local school. I can't believe it, my husband was retired from his job here in England at 60!!!!

Linda x.